Really he couldn’t be the rightful successor to the greatest spin quartet critics said, writing him off. 18 years hence, Kumble reached the 600th wicket mark.
MUMBAI: Anil Kumble made his Test match debut against England in Manchester in August of 1990. He wore spectacles, looked awkward, hardly spun the ball and went about his business with minimal fuss.
Really he couldn’t be the rightful successor to the greatest spin quartet (Bedi, Chandra, Prasanna, and Venkat), critics said, writing him off. 18 years hence, Kumble reached the 600th wicket mark.
It’s been one heck of a journey. Nobody understands that better than Muttiah Muralitharan, the highest wicket-taker with 723 scalps.
“Congratulations to Anil. Reaching the 600 mark is a great achievement. He is a great player and a great ambassador for the game,” Murali told DNA.
“He is at the peak of his form and doing exceptionally well both as a captain and bowler. I think he and his team were unlucky in Sydney, with a lot of decisions going against them. But Anil has been brilliant. Eighteen years, to come back season after season, you have to be mentally very tough and Anil is the perfect example of that toughness. “
That the three bowlers at the top of the list of highest wicket-takers in Tests, Muralitharan, Warne and Kumble, are all spinners, is som thing of great significance, says Murali.
“We have managed to master this art form and done well. I am very proud. But I also think spinners will always be more effective in Tests rather than in ODIs,” says Murali.
“We have the time to plot and plan, try different things and bowl many more overs.” Murali believes that Kumble will get even more dangerous and take more wickets in the future. “He will definitely take many more wickets.
He still looks so hungry for them. It’s a great sign for the team. Who knows, he might even join the 700 club,” says Murali.
The Lankan, who till recently shared a rather acrimonious relationship with Shane Warne, says the Indian captain is one of the nicest men in the game.
“I am very friendly with Anil. He is an extremely nice person. I wish him all the success. Anil also has to thank me for reaching the mark as I have gotten out to him many times. Definitely more times than I have got him out,” Murali signs off.
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