Name Hindi: अनिल कुंबले / Gender Coach
Anil Kumble: Cricket’s Whirlwind Master
Anil Kumble is among the pantheon of cricket legends who has left an indelible mark on the sport. Known for his exceptional leg spin bowling, relentless determination and sporting spirit, he stands as one of India’s greatest cricketers.
Early Days in Cricket
Born on October 17, 1970 in Bangalore, Karnataka, Anil Kumble from a young age was drawn to the game that would evolve into a distinguished career. After impressive performances at the local level, he made his Test debut for India against England in August 1990.
The Rise to Stardom
Kumble established himself as a premier bowler with his consistently excellent performance. His rise to international fame arrived during Heroes’ Cup held in 1993 where he humbled the West Indies batting order by taking six wickets for just twelve runs.
- He took over 600 Test match wickets making him only third player worldwide after Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) and Shane Warne (Australia)
- In One Day Internationals (ODIs), he claimed 337 wickets.
- Kumble remains one of only two bowlers ever (the other being Jim Laker from England) to have taken all ten wickets in a test innings. He achieved this feat against Pakistan in 1999.
Tenure as Captain
A leader both on and off field, Anil’s captaincy tenure saw him command respect amongst players and fans alike. As captain of Indian national team from November 2007-October 2008, Kumble’s Test captaincy was marked by close finishes and fought-out series.
Retirement and After
In November 2008, Anil Kumble announced his retirement from international cricket but continued to play in the Indian Premier League until 2010. Thereafter he transitioned into administration and coaching roles. He served as the President of Karnataka State Cricket Association, before being named head coach of the Indian national team in 2016 for a tenure lasting till June 2017.
Awards & Achievements
- Kumble has been honoured with several awards during his illustrious career, including prestigious Arjuna Award (1995).
- Recognition for contribution to sports saw him conferred with Padma Shri award – India’s fourth highest civilian honor – in 2005.
- Anil Kumble became only third Indian cricketer to join list of ICC Hall of Fame in October 2015, following Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev.
Legacy
Beyond numbers, what sets Anil apart is his game spirit. Known for dogged determination, fight-back attitude and example-setting sporting conduct, it’s said that ‘nobody gave more than Anil to the cause’. Today, even off-field, he continues to serve cricket contributing to policy-making at different levels; truly leaving an indelible imprint on this glorious sport!
