Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Anil Kumble, A true champion

The one word that you can associate perfectly with Anil Kumble is perseverance.

Every time he's hit for runs/a catch is dropped off his bowling, no animated gestures, back to his bowling mark, perhaps with his steely resolve only stronger. No wild celebrations with every wicket. And he's called Smiling Assassin for reasons.

And now with half a thousand test victims...Did you say nice guys always finish second?!

At a time where style takes over substance, he's one of our most under celebrated champions.

In a career spanning over 15 years he has weathered, injuries, insults like dropping from ODI and Test squad, poor overseas record(till recently), criticism that he's no classical leg spinner, all with dignity.

We took him for granted.When everything happens there's Kumble and when nothing happens there's always Kumble to fall back to!
I never saw him with a drooping shoulder.No gifted genius like Shane Warne/Muralitharan , he outlived his talent, constantly trying out new things, those subtle variations and importantly, more often than not, he thought the batsmen out(true to his eng traits!)

If look at India's test victories, Kumble is @ the center of the each frame.

No doubt, he would have made a great captain as well, sad that he never got an opportunity.

No wonder,when you look back/think of the man, more than the Hero Cup heroics, the perfect 10 against Pak, you recall, that inspirational act of bowling with a fractured jaw, against Windies...
True to the man, Braveheart Kumble...Keep going...

4 comments:

PK said...

Why a sudden change in name of the blog?
U n I .. in this beautiful world..

Jumbo is a true champion. No doubt about it.is this a comment? ;)

Sushma said...

:) true

Anonymous said...

Well .. well.. everybody is praised, after he rests in his tomb..

kal said...

hi No doubt he is agreat captain, an excellent human being. I live in Johannesburg, and known him since 1992, during his first visit to SA when he was only 22 years old.I do not notice any change in him . same well behaved, matured,decent and intelligent boy.I remember when he came here for his shoulder opera ration, was alone with his brother Dinesh. He visited our place quite a few times for Karnataka meal. Even though, he was in tremendous pain, would never show in his face. Man of few wards with great achievements. kalpana