A champion fades away
Adding to the numerous tributes to Anil Kumble following his retirement, an editorial comment in the Hindu emphasises Kumble's contribution to India's success overseas in the recent years, and how he demolished the myth about his ineffectiveness
Siddhartha Talya
25-Feb-2013
Adding to the numerous tributes to Anil Kumble following his retirement, an editorial comment in the Hindu emphasises Kumble's contribution to India's success overseas in the recent years, and how he demolished the myth about his ineffectiveness away from home.
The Bangalorean leaves behind a unique legacy. He has bowled India to wins in Australia, England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies, demolishing the myth that he was dangerous only at home. During the fractious tour of Australia, India gained from his clear-sighted leadership; in fact, he might be the best captain India almost never had. In the final analysis, Kumble leaves Indian cricket immeasurably better than he found it when he made his Test debut in 1990.
An opinion piece in Daily News and Analysis singles out Kumble's statesmanship in India's acrimonious Test series in Australia earlier this year as his greatest achievement. With India's 'old guard' gradually disbanding, the article does hint at some apprehension towards a "newer, brasher India" replacing the gentleman-like demeanour that Kumble exemplified.
Kumble’s greatest achievement, however, could be the statesmanlike quality that he brought to the field during the last Indian series in Australia which was fraught with tensions between the two teams. As accusations flew through the air, Kumble rose above it and took his team with him
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But this is still an occasion that must be marked, and that is why the sporting world has stood up to salute Kumble. He represents the best of a sport that is often lauded for being a “gentleman’s game” — in spite of enough evidence to the contrary — because he is a gentleman. Now, the newer, brasher India takes over.
An editorial comment in the Business Standard lauds Kumble for starting and sustaining the "golden era" of spin bowling along with Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan, at a time when spin bowlers, particularly of the wrist variety, were relegated to the margins by fast bowlers.
Siddhartha Talya is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo