The Gentlemanly Sportsman

From Rohit Naimpally, United States of America
As the tributes pour in and Kumble's long career begins to be viewed through the sepia-tinted lens of hindsight, a number of different accounts will be given of Kumble's true legacy to Indian cricket.

For me, Kumble has always represented a refreshing anomaly in Indian cricket: in a country that obsesses over cricket stars blessed with natural talent, Kumble taught us all the virtue of gritty workmanship. He lacked the breathtaking divinity of a Tendulkar, the delicate craftsmanship of a Laxman, the cheeky connivance of a Prasanna, or even the derring-do of a Kapil Dev. Yet, Jumbo won us matches all the same, proving that blood, sweat, toil and tears, while not fashionable, are certainly an integral part of any winning side.

The oft-trumpeted stars of the next generation (flamboyant Yuvraj, supremely gifted Rohit Sharma, et al.) would do well to take a leaf - indeed, leaves aplenty - out of Kumble's book. Rahul Dravid, a Karnataka teammate of Kumble's not dissimilar in his approach to the game, did so, with the results plain for all to see.

Finally, in a game that often calls for sporting gentleman, Kumble was in fact, a gentlemanly sportsman. The images from this Kotla evening may eventually be relegated to the odd sports montage, but the sport should- nay, must- ensure that Kumble's legacy burns on as bright as ever.