Nov 02, 2008 08:15 PM
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(Updated Nov 02, 2008 08:32 PM)
Before the first test match against Australia in Bangalore Anil Kumble said that this would be his last test match in his home town. With this statement from him the writing was on the wall and it was just a matter of time before he would announce his retirement from the test cricket.
I personally felt that he will call it a day during the Nagpur test against Australia but due to the injury, which will not allow him to play that game, he announced his retirement today, on the last day of the third test match at Delhi. This must have stunned his critics and shocked his fans.
Whatever one does or whichever field one chooses, one fine day he has to depart but the timing has to be perfect to make it a memorable exit. And Anil has done exactly the same. His timing was perfect and people will remember him for a very long time.
He managed to take only 8 wickets in Sri Lanka in 3 tests but due to the standards set by him the expectations from him were much more, which became the basic reason why majority of people started suspecting his skills. There is an old saying, "FORM IS TEMPORARY, CLASS IS PERMANENT' but unfortunately in today's time nobody cares for that. You are as good as your last innings is the mantra, which is sad news.
Of late Anil was asked when would he retire and his reply was that he would call it a day on his own terms. And everyone must admire his decision to call it quits. Just 5 test matches as captain with below par performance and he makes way for a junior. With this he has set an example for others to learn and should know when to quit.
Anil had the opportunity to play with great players like Mohammed Azharuddin, Kapil Dev to name a few. With such wealth of experience of almost 2 decades under his belt the vacuum created by him will be difficult to be filled by someone but thats the way things are. A man has to do what a man has to do.
Many people will not agree that his was the right decision to call it a day. At least we are proud to say that here is a player who made a graceful exit from the cricket world. Anil was bold enough to make it public that he didn't want to let the team down due to his injury.
Dear Anil, thank you so much for being a loyal servant to India and taking the team to the maximum heights. Your valuable contribution to the team and the country will always be remembered by us. I wish you all the very best in your future assignments. Good luck and well played.
