One of the most committed cricketers for India, Anil Kumble made his Test debut on August 9 in 1990 against England at Manchester’s Old Trafford. Kumble served Indian cricket for more than 15 years. He served as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. His innings as the coach did not end as per his liking but he surely made India a better side in his short stay. We look at five facts about him which are unknown to even best of his fans.
In the 2002 Antigua Test, Anil Kumble was hit hard by a Merv Dillon delivery on his jaw. He continued batting despite the pain. When he went back to the dressing room, he discovered that his jaw was broken. Even after finding this out, he came out to bowl and picked up the priced wicket of Brian Lara.
Bowled with a broken jaw and picked Lara’s wicket.
Apart from a number of 5-wicket and 10-wicket hauls, Anil Kumble also has a Mechanical Engineering degree to his name. He was always a studious kid and never let cricket come in between him and studies. Although, later on, he opted to concentrate on cricket solely.
He has a Mechanical Engineering degree to his name.
Not many know that the Indian leg-spinner wanted to become a fast bowler for the country and had begun his career as a medium pacer. Later on, he discovered that his bowling action was suited for spin bowling and his jump motion also helped him a lot in achieving success as a spinner in world cricket.
Started off career as a medium pacer
It took just 10 Tests for Anil Kumble to reach the milestone of 50 wickets in international cricket. He was the fastest to do so, before Ravichandran Ashwin eventually broke his record, by taking 50 wickets in a mere 9 Test matches.
Second fastest Indian to 50 Test wickets
Anil Kumble bowled a destructive spell of leg-spin against Pakistan at the Delhi Test match in 1999. Kumble went on to take all the ten wickets in the last innings, helping India win the Test match. He also became only the second bowler in the history of the game to do so.
Took 10 wickets in an innings
