Sunday 2nd November 2008 :
India captain Anil Kumble has announced that the drawn third Test against Australia was his last in the Test arena.
Kumble, who sat out the second Test against Australia in Mohali with a shoulder injury, missed much of the third match in Delhi, which ended in a draw on Sunday, due to a finger problem sustained in the field.
And the 38-year-old revealed in the post-match presntation that although retirement had been on his mind for a while, the injury had forced him to bring the date forward.
"The body gave me the decision," he said. "This injury helped me make the decision. I knew I wouldn't be 100% for the next Test and I didn't want to let the team down.
"I'd already decided to leave after the series anyway but this injury made it happen sooner."
Asked if his team-mates had been surprised by the announcement, Kumble replied: "Yes, they were, but the response I got makes me proud to have shared the dressing room with such great players.
"It has been a great journey and I would like to thank all the supporters who have come here.
"Delhi has always been a special place for me and it is fitting to finish here.
"I'll now be able to spend more time with my wife and kids."
Kumble's retirement means he will not play the fourth and final Test in Nagpur, which starts on Friday with India leading the series 1-0.
Kumble becomes the second senior India player to retire during this series, with Sourav Ganguly having already announced he will quit after the fourth Test.
His decision brings to an end a fabulous career for India's most prolific bowler and the world's third highest wicket-taker.
Kumble, a veteran of 131 Tests and 619 wickets, had been under intense pressure to retire following a lean series in the three-Test series in Sri Lanka in July this year.
His performance had dipped considerably from the high standards which had made him a feared bowler since he made his debut as a bespectacled and studious-looking bowler in August 1990.
Kumble was never a big turner of the ball, but flummoxed opposition batsmen with bounce and zip.
Although he made his debut in 1990, he came to prominence two years later when he claimed six for 53 in the second innings against South Africa in Johannesburg.
Since then, he has featured heavily in several memorable victories for India.
Perhaps his finest achievement came in 1999 when he became only the second player after England's Jim Laker to take all 10 wickets in an innings, achieving the feat against Pakistan as India secured their first Test win over Pakistan in 19 years.
He was named captain of India in November last year, after Rahul Dravid had relinquished his hold on the mantle and Sachin Tendulkar had refused a second stint at the helm.
That moment of glory came just months after he had scored his first Test century, a feat which even his greatest contemporary Shane Warne had failed to achieve.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting paid tribute to the spinner, hailing his attitude.
"I'd like to congratulate Anil Kumble on behalf of the Australia team for an outstanding career," said Ponting.
"He's a great competitor and I said to him as he was coming out that every single Australia player I've spoken to has always been delighted with the way he plays the game.
"He's one of the modern day greats of the game."
Team-mate VVS Laxman, who scored a double hundred and an unbeaten half century in the third Test, added: "To score runs in Anil's last Test match is great for me and I will always remember it. He has been a great inspiration to me and will be for generations to come.
"All of us are really proud and we wish him a successful career after cricket and thank him for all he has achieved and contributed to Indian cricket."
And the 38-year-old revealed in the post-match presntation that although retirement had been on his mind for a while, the injury had forced him to bring the date forward.
"The body gave me the decision," he said. "This injury helped me make the decision. I knew I wouldn't be 100% for the next Test and I didn't want to let the team down.
"I'd already decided to leave after the series anyway but this injury made it happen sooner."
Asked if his team-mates had been surprised by the announcement, Kumble replied: "Yes, they were, but the response I got makes me proud to have shared the dressing room with such great players.
"It has been a great journey and I would like to thank all the supporters who have come here.
"Delhi has always been a special place for me and it is fitting to finish here.
"I'll now be able to spend more time with my wife and kids."
Kumble's retirement means he will not play the fourth and final Test in Nagpur, which starts on Friday with India leading the series 1-0.
Kumble becomes the second senior India player to retire during this series, with Sourav Ganguly having already announced he will quit after the fourth Test.
His decision brings to an end a fabulous career for India's most prolific bowler and the world's third highest wicket-taker.
Kumble, a veteran of 131 Tests and 619 wickets, had been under intense pressure to retire following a lean series in the three-Test series in Sri Lanka in July this year.
His performance had dipped considerably from the high standards which had made him a feared bowler since he made his debut as a bespectacled and studious-looking bowler in August 1990.
Kumble was never a big turner of the ball, but flummoxed opposition batsmen with bounce and zip.
Although he made his debut in 1990, he came to prominence two years later when he claimed six for 53 in the second innings against South Africa in Johannesburg.
Since then, he has featured heavily in several memorable victories for India.
Perhaps his finest achievement came in 1999 when he became only the second player after England's Jim Laker to take all 10 wickets in an innings, achieving the feat against Pakistan as India secured their first Test win over Pakistan in 19 years.
He was named captain of India in November last year, after Rahul Dravid had relinquished his hold on the mantle and Sachin Tendulkar had refused a second stint at the helm.
That moment of glory came just months after he had scored his first Test century, a feat which even his greatest contemporary Shane Warne had failed to achieve.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting paid tribute to the spinner, hailing his attitude.
"I'd like to congratulate Anil Kumble on behalf of the Australia team for an outstanding career," said Ponting.
"He's a great competitor and I said to him as he was coming out that every single Australia player I've spoken to has always been delighted with the way he plays the game.
"He's one of the modern day greats of the game."
Team-mate VVS Laxman, who scored a double hundred and an unbeaten half century in the third Test, added: "To score runs in Anil's last Test match is great for me and I will always remember it. He has been a great inspiration to me and will be for generations to come.
"All of us are really proud and we wish him a successful career after cricket and thank him for all he has achieved and contributed to Indian cricket."
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