Dec 22, 2001 09:54 AM
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(Updated Dec 22, 2001 10:02 AM)
When Anil Kumble trapped Mathew Hoggard, the last batsman of England in the third test match at Bangalore, this leg spinner joins Elite club of 300 wickets. He is second Indian , after Kapil Dev (434 wickets in 131 test ) and 18th bowler in Test history to achieve this milestone. He has reached in this mark in his 66th test.
This leg spinner made his debut in Machester in 9th August in 1990 and his first victim was Alan Lamb. After that he never looked back.
In 1998-99 this leg spinner finished with 10-74 dismissing all Pakistani Batsman at Ferozshah Kotla and Pakistani were collapsed from 101-0 to 207 in the 2nd innings. He joined hands with legendary Jim Laker after reaching this magnificent feat. This made him only the second bowler in Test cricket , after Jim Laker from England against Australia at Old Trafford in 1956 to capture all ten wickets in test innings. This outstanding performance of perfect ten is the exposure of strong determination. Should we negate this outstanding performance as it was played in Indian soil ? In his early career he bagged 6 for 12 in Hero Cup final against West Indies in 1993-94.In this site somebody has compared him with Shane Warne and Muthaia Murlitharan. After that concluded Anil Kumble is inferior as he is successful only in home soil. But his comparison is irrelevant as they are totally different bowlers. Kumble gets lot of bounce, bowls more top spin and flippers. Only similarity is that all are accurate. If he drops short one can cut it as he does not turn it a lot. His lethal flippers embrass so many batting elites in test cricket.
We should not have any doubt about Anil Kumble’s ability. He has frequently proved to be a match winner especially on Indian Wickets. On a turning track Kumble is unplayable.
He is first Indian spinner in this 300 wickets Elite Club and this review is celebration of Anil Kumble’s outstanding achievement.
