Was having a conversation on Twitter with Achettup of ‘Short of a Length‘ fame and the talk turned to Anil Kumble aka Jumbo and his maiden century.
I can still recall those moments when he neared to and got his century. I was rooting for England (actually, to be more precise, against India) for some reason which I can’t remember.
However, when Jumbo’s chance came to get a century, I couldn’t help but praying that he get his century, even if it meant that England couldn’t draw the series.
The lack of availability of cable forced me to turn to Test Match Special commentary from BBC to follow the match. I was praying, praying and, finally, when he got his century via a thin edge through Matt Prior’s legs, I literally jumped from my chair and was punching my fists in the air. It was more like I was getting my maiden century rather than him (who could grudge me this chance, considering how bad I am at even playing out an over).
Researching more about him, I came across an instance of him bowling in Sabina Park, Jamaica, even after he had his jaw strapped due to getting it broken! Now that’s what you call spirit!
Now, I have to make a confession here. I’m such a soppy romantic. Regular readers of this blog will remember my call for Ramprakash to be included in the last Ashes test last year! Regardless of the improbability of it happening, I still wanted to see him there!
Seeing Kumble bowl with a lot of heart and guile and taking Bangalore to the finals of the IPL last year was just plain – heartwarming!
Achettup gave me a link to that magical moment, so check it out here!
Off Cutter 
Kumble is the man.
It was in Antigua where he came on to bowl, broken jaw and all. Bowled 14 overs of magic where he got Lara and had Hooper out but on a no ball. Quite a lot of cricket watchers (including me) shed a tear seeing such awesome courage. Harsha Bhogle was not able to speak properly, he was that choked.
They do not make men like Kumble any more.
They do not make men like Kumble any more.
Well said! Don’t forget that spell of seam-up that he bowled to Pakistan when they went to India in 2007…it was, if memory serves me correct, in the last test and in dying light! Man, he was bowling them really fast! Couple that with the fading light and the batsmen had quite a handful on their hands! first 5 wickets went to him!
Oh yes. Almost won the Test for India. One ball that got Akmal pitched on middle and took away off stump. Makes you wonder how good he would have been as a seamer. Not as good as a leggie but good enough.
The 5w haul against PAK seemed like one occasion when he was really revelling. On most other times, the effort he put in was quite evident on his countenance, and the reward almost appeared to be a pyrrhic victory. However, the 5/60 vs PAK was a truly magical moment. Perhaps it was symptomatic of the joy experienced when all the toil bear fruit and is topped by a cherry of good fortune. It was good to see!
In many ways, it was similar to the Test 100, infact the 6 months from the Test 100 through to the end of the Aussie tour was one such period for Jumbo.