India Test skipper Anil Kumble took the cricketing fraternity by surprise, announcing his retirement from international cricket midway through the series against Australia.
The third Test at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium here will be Kumble’s last outing
Kumble has already conveyed his decision to BCCI president Shashank Manohar.
The veteran leggie has been struggling to find his peak form recently and has also been struck by fitness problems.
Kumble was taken to hospital during the third day of the third Test after suffering a deep cut on his left little finger while attempting a sharp catch at short midwicket. He was discharged on Saturday after surgery after which he bowled in Australia’s first innings and somehow managed to claim three wickets.
He also missed the second Test in Mohali because of a shoulder injury sustained during the first Test in Bangalore
The 38-year-old is the third highest wicket-taker in the world with a haul of 616 wickets in 131 Tests that included eight 10-wicket hauls and 35 five-wicket hauls.
A look at the detailed statistics:
Opponent Mts Overs Mdns Runs Wkts Best Avg 5WI 10WM
v Australia 20 1086 181 3366 111 8-141 30.32 10 2
v Bangladesh 4 81.1 21 248 15 4-55 16.53 0 0
v England 19 1072.2 258 2815 92 7-115 30.59 4 1
v New Zealand 11 601.4 195 1293 50 6-67 25.86 3 1
v Pakistan 15 814.2 185 2590 81 10-74 31.97 5 2
v South Africa 21 1138.2 261 2671 84 6-53 31.79 3 0
v Sri Lanka 18 862.1 193 2309 74 7-59 31.20 4 2
v West Indies 17 782.1 174 2204 74 6-78 29.78 4 0
v Zimbabwe 7 370.1 108 859 38 5-63 22.60 2 0
Overall 132 6808.2 1576 18355 619 10-74 29.65 35 8
HOME 63 3465.2 895 8710 350 10-74 24.88 25 7
AWAY 69 3343 681 9645 269 8-141 35.85 10 1
Interestingly, Kumble will end his career at Feroz Shah Kotla, which he rates as one of his favourite venues. He took all 10 wickets in an innings against Pakistan at this venue in 1999 to become only the second bowler to achieve the feat after Englishman Jim Laker.
The veteran had previously suggested he would retire on his terms after he constant questioning on the subject from the Indian media.
Kumble Speaks
But he admitted a finger injury sustained on day three attempting to catch a difficult Matthew Hayden chance proved to be the catalyst for his decision.
“It was tough, especially after 18 years when you have been so competitive, but the body gave me the decision and the injury helped,” said Kumble, who needed 11 stitches on his left-hand little finger.
“I had already made the decision yesterday (Saturday), I knew I would not be fit (for the Nagpur Test) and I don’t want to let the team down.”
And Kumble said the Feroz Shah Kotla Ground, the venue for his match-winning 10-74, was the perfect place to bring the curtain down on his illustrious career having taken 58 wickets in seven Test matches there at an average of 16.55.
“Delhi has been really special for me, I thought it would be fitting to finish here,” he said.
The 38-year-old is Test cricket’s third highest wicket-taker with 619 wickets in 132 Tests, trailing only Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and Australia’s retired Shane Warne
Kumble’s successor has not been named but is likely to be Mahendra Dhoni.
India lead the series 1-0 with one Test match to go, which starts in Nagpur on 6 November.
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