An outstanding player who never got his due

A gentleman cricketer has bowed out of the game at the right time and right place.

Nearly a decade ago, Anil Kumble destroyed Pakistan with record figures of 10 for 74 at Delhi to take India to a magnificent victory. The champion Indian leg-spinner decided to quit on the same ground where he recorded some of his best performances.

Eighteen years of cricket finally took its toll on Kumble. A shoulder injury eight years ago proved career threatening but Kumble survived that.

And Kumble has survived much more than that. It is indeed sad that Kumble was never given the kind of recognition that he fully deserved.

When he was elevated to Test cricket, there were question marks over his ability to spin the ball. Then there was constant criticism that he lacked variety and rarely flighted the ball.

Once Kumble started taking wickets, statistics-obsessed Indians said that he never performed well abroad. A barren spell recently had the critics gunning for him again.

Kumble was made of sterner stuff, though, and he answered all his critics by letting his bowling do the talking.

It is indeed silly to question a man who has taken 619 wickets in 132 Tests. Instead, Indians should have been proud of a man who epitomised everything what a good Test cricketer should be.

Kumble's bitterness manifested on the day he quit when he said that he had to face criticism right to the end of his career.

The accolades have begun to flow now. In retrospect, everything will look rosy.

A hand injury and age finally hastened Kumble's departure. This was not surprising as Kumble shouldered much of India's bowling burden, particularly after the retirement of Kapil Dev.

Like all great leg-spinners, Kumble matured with age. Initially opposition batsmen decided that the best way to play Kumble was to treat him as an in-swinging medium-pacer because of his over-reliance on the googly.

But Kumble worked hard on his game and his leg-spinners started to go. He also slowed down his pace to the needs of the situation and flight and top spin followed.

One of Kumble's greatest attributes was his competitiveness. He hated being hit unlike bowlers of his fraternity. A misfield would often be treated with a glare, hands on hips.

Kumble's short stint as captain was highlighted by a fine tour of Australia. He also handled the often-acrimonious series with great statesmanship.

One of Kumble's happiest moments was his maiden century at The Oval. His batting was sound and he was involved in many crucial partnerships.

Unfortunately, as with most of Kumble's achievements, this factor was downplayed and he was even sent in to bat at number 11 by some of his captains.

For the statistically-minded, Kumble has broken practically every Indian record in the book. They owe him a salute for that.

For the real cricket lovers, Kumble was an outstanding bowler who kept the spin bowling flag flying with skill and integrity.