From iSport’s IPL Paddock, here is an ardent Cricket-Kumble fan who pens this article as a tribute to the stupendous effort of India’s finest leg spinners Anil Kumble. iSporter Nupur Gadkari salutes him. Read her story.
Recently, I got in touch with an old friend who is now studying in Miami. The two of us ever since our teens have been fanatical cricket fans and often wrote ‘most memorable moment’ in every slam book in high school as ‘the day we went to Wankhede stadium for a cricket match’. Believe it or not, it still is my most memorable moment! While talking to her, we discussed our old days, crazy times while sitting in the Garware pavilion, making friends with cameramen to go live on TV, making posters and flashing them at the commentators who sat in the same pavilion and our talk just didn’t end. All of it was circled around one topic and one person. Topic of discussion: Cricket; Person discussed: Anil Kumble.
Ever since I remember liking the game, my first ever memory is that of this tall bowler well-known for his flipper and his very peculiar 3 small hops before delivery. As I watched him bowl to Pakistan’s Saleem Malik and get him out on an LBW I knew that my fondness was growing not only for Cricket but also for ace leg spinner Anil Kumble. This was the quarter final of the 1996 World Cup at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore. Day turned to night and India had won the match. With Kumble bagging 3 wickets, I was yet another proud fan who joined the league of ‘Kumble’s die-hard fans’ and slept soundly with a smile on my face. And then there was just no looking back. Every time Kumble went on field I was glued to the television set. If school hours clashed with the match timings I would ensure I watched the highlights.
The matches continued and my respect and admiration for Kumble only increased. I soon started looking up literature of his past accolades in the game. I was thrilled to know that he was the fastest Indian bowler to have achieved the fastest 50 Test wickets in just 10 test matches and then went on to becoming the second fastest bowler to take 100 Test wickets in 21 matches! Winning the Arjuna Award in 1995 and being one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1996 which most cricket lovers would know is a great honour only filled me with pride and belief that there can be no other!
My room was filled with posters of Kumble bowling, appealing, taking a catch and the likes. Computer wallpapers were strictly Kumble’s still images and nothing else. Whoever changed them always heard a mouthful from me! My school essays of ‘Your favourite sports player’ OR ‘Your favourite game’ would have just one topic and one name. Any guesses? This might sound crazy, but yes every 17th of October there was a cake cutting ceremony with only few friends who really understood cricket and my love for the game and Kumble.
And then, he created history. A moment that made journalists start penning their front page headlines, cricketing stalwarts’ chests filled with pride and fans of the game in awe of this Cricketer. It was that blessed day at Delhi's Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium, 1999. India was playing a test match against Pakistan. I still remember, Pakistan was giving India a tough fight. But this spin wizard was not giving up just yet. As the match progressed and the pitch provided subtle assistance one by one Anil Kumble was taking wicket after wicket leaving audiences at the stadium and many others like me glued to the television set stunned! Jim Laker’s record, one of England’s finest bowlers who held the record for taking all 10 wickets in a test match in 1956 was about to be broken. And Voila! As the crowd watched Wasim Akram get trapped in the web of this marvellous spinner, Kumble made every Indian proud and etched his name into the pages of crickets’ history. Might I add, this was followed by a ‘life size’ poster..yes literally ‘life size’ of Kumble that I woke up to see every morning!
With his stunning success not only on Indian soil but also international, Kumble went on to endorse brands... not many but yes he did join the league of endorsers. His efforts and dedication to the sport enabled him to be eligible for the Padma Shri which he was awarded in 2005 and an intersection on M.G Road Bangalore has also been named after him (Yes yes! I obviously stood there for 5 whole minutes!). Although he announced his retirement on the Kotla grounds where he created history, spectators, teammates and fans only applauded this spin king for his astounding contribution to the sport.
With the IPL season starting next month, ‘Jumbo’ as he is fondly called is set to take Royal Challengers Bangalore to newer heights! He has an excellent record to back him up with over 600 Test wickets and a phenomenal ODI record that adds to his credentials. As a fan, I salute his mental strength and his capability of keeping his cool while on the field. His focus and determination only increases my respect for him. He has no doubt set an excellent example for India’s upcoming bowlers.
I wish to conclude this piece by stating it as a tribute to one of Indian Cricket’s finest players who was wholly and solely responsible for making me fall in love with the game. Thank you, Anil.
Here is to lots of cricket, more wickets and Jumbo!
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a guest
said:
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... Jumbo is an ideal role model for every cricketer....specially his mental resolve is very strong..he bowled with a broken jaw...he is a role model...good you wrote about him and yeah even I visited the Anil Kumble marg ...quite awesome :-).....- Nikhil Bhatt |
Saurabh Joshi
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... Cant agree more Nupur.. He was a warrior of Indian team who was born with a never say die spirit....Can never forget two things when it comes to Jumbo. 1. Bowling with a fractured jaw and tape around his head and getting a scalp THE BRIAN LARA 2. Contraversial Sydney test match where we lost but he batted for 110 odd balls on a deteriorating pitch and was blocking every thing that came his way.. Ian Chappel made a statement in the box " Australia you can do whatever you want but you will not be able to get Kumble's wicket today" |
a guest
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... One of the most dedicated cricketer I have ever seen.... Jumbo's never to give up attitude is something I look upto... I dont think anyone of us will ever forget his magical ten wicket bowling spell against our arch rivals...! Nupur I cant believe that you actually cut cake and celebrated jumbo's bday... u r definately a crazy fan..! Bhawik |
Nupur Gadkari
said:
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... @ Bhatt - Thanks! :-) @ Saurabh - Yes you said it! @ Bhawik - :-) Yes I would like to be the craziest of all! :-) |
Sohel Topiwala
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... Nupur. We're getting to know more and more of u with every article. Kumble is a very unusual choice for a girl ! This really means that u love cricket. I think following cristiano rolando was just an aberration and gave me a wrong impression about you...lol ! Kumble is a battle-hardened veteran and intelligent at the same time. Although, away from home, Kumble was never really a threat. But then, all ckters have some flaws. Way to go Nupur. My respect for u grows with every article. Keep em comin ! |
I love it!!!!! Keep up the good work baby!! 
a guest
said:
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... Very well written... am sure the memories still give u goose bumps , like it does to so many others. watching him get brian lara out with a broken jaw (and almost Carl Hooper too ) will remain an abiding memory. the way he has handled himself through the years , the criticism , the adulation , the controversies , are a lesson for every young sportsperson. --- Puneet |
Nupur Gadkari
said:
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... @ Anu - Thanks a lot! @ Shulmit - Thanks! @ Puneet - Yes that 'jaw breaking' memory is still fresh! :-) Thanks for your comment! |
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