If anyone around the world is following cricket; JUMBO is surely not anonymous.
November 2nd 2008; Day 5 of the 3rd test between Indian Australia; the Gavaskar Border trophy, Kumble calls it the end of his test career. 18 yrs is a very long time. yes it is. From the time i started to understand cricket and follow cricket as a religion as most of them in the subcontinent, Kumble has been a star bowler and will live in the minds of all of them for some very good reasons other than his wicket taking ability.
Ofcourse that I hail from the same city as he; if in Bangalore my daily route to office or anywhere usually involves me going by the "Anil Kumble Circle" or the "Chaussee de Anil Kumble". So he lives in the daily lives of millions of people in this huge city. Every kid who has started watching cricket now and goes by this junction will the obvious question and an enduring answer from his/her parents.
I had met Anil Kumble just once when I was in school. It was the events in ChinnaSwamy Stadium for schools if I remember that all the school cricket teams play for. One of those Sundays when my parents permitted me to go with my cousins(as Spectators). I think I was in my 8th grade then. We were all late to the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Just when we are entering the arena; Anil is behind us on his way hurriedly. He says.. "Excuse me.. I am gettin late" and he lifts a guy next to me to make his way. Taaaaalll that he is for our age then. We all had to lift our heads almost 90 degress to see him. He smiles and says to me "Nice Shirt" and walks off. I remember that proud moment. Don't I? :)
Then after that moment, i picked up Leg Spin bowling. Trying to emulate him. exactly his hops. 1, 2, 3, 4 and deliver. Only thing being that I held Shane Warne's grip :). When I used to play for Telelogic team; I used to prefer bowling Slow Medium. But in one of those practise sessions at Joseph's grounds, I bowled "Anil Kumble Style" after a long time and oh my!! The Ball turned a long way and i decieved the batsmen in flight to "emulate" the pride moment for any leg spinner to have the batsman stump behind. Then, Ramesh our department Director who used to come with us to practise was stunned at my delivery and asked me to master that "art" and called me "Anil Kumble of Telelogic team". That is history now and its been a good 2 yrs from proper leather ball cricket.
So tats how a great bowler Kumble has been and an influence in my life. If anyone were to survey the whole of India of our Generation; you are sure to get millions of stories like this.
Today when I got up; even though 4.5 hours behind IST, first thing that I did was to check cricinfo. I was stunned when I saw "Anil Kumble announces retirement". I am one of those who is over-expressive and emotional. At once, I told the news to my wife and she knowing of me to calm me down said "Yeah! Everyone has to retire at one point of time. Good decision". Believe me, that rang bells in my ears and in no time, my BP was normal.
But I did not wanna miss Kumble bowl his last few overs of his test match career. At once googled to check which site is giving live streaming of the cricket match. I was surely not surprised to see him start the bowling for India with just about 20 overs left for the end of 5th day's play.
I hoped I could be at Kotla, Kumble's fav ground to see him bid farewell. But yeah!! Even if I was in India, I could not have planned this as Kumble did not give time for any of his fans to plan for a good farewell as Ganguly rightly did.
Yes!! There are a lot of crazy guys out there who would like to send off their fav sportsman. You better believe me!!
Nonetheless; an end of a fruitful long career with all the lows and highs that one could experience on the cricket field. From broken jaw to a stitched finger. He has done all of us Indians proud with his diplomatic and Charismatic personality. If you wanted proof; Rarely does any batsmen before taking strike of the innings comes down and wishes the bowler the best for his last 10 test overs of his life. Hayden and Katich did it. :)
All the best JUMBO for tne 2nd innings of ur life after cricket. Wish you all the success and good luck for your next venture(s).
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