Thursday, January 17, 2008

India captain Anil Kumble joined the 600-wicket club

India's Captain Anil Kumble (L) celebrates his 600th wicket of Australia's Andrew Symonds



India captain Anil Kumble joined the 600-wicket club on Thursday at Perth.

Kumble got rid of the dangerous looking Andrew Symonds to reach the summit that no Indian bowler has ever reached before him.

Captaining India can be a huge burden, especially when up against the best team in the world. Anil Kumble, though, as the cricket world has discovered over the last few decades is a cricketer who rises to the challenge in the face of adversity.

Kumble is the highest wicket taker currently in the series, the only Indian bowler who has consistently threatened the Aussies. Kumble announced his intent of leading from the front on day one of the series on Boxing Day - 5-84.

Over the years Kumble has been India's colossus; the man every Indian skipper turned to when a breakthrough was needed. He has been India's greatest match winner. In 41 Test wins he has been part of, Kumble has 279 wickets at an average of just 18.

Pakistan bore witness to Kumble's amazing skill. He ran though them on a memorable winter afternoon in Delhi - all 10 for 74 - only the second man to take ten wickets in an innings in Tests.

And who can forget the joy on the face of the man when he scored his first ever Test hundred against England at the Oval; the only hundred by an Indian batsman in the series.

The happenings of the last week have elevated Kumble's status from just a mere statesman of the game. The legend of Anil Kumble is growing with every passing day.

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