Published 23:19 IST, July 12th 2023

'I just need surgery': Anil Kumble recalls greatest challenge of playing in West Indies

Former Team India spinner Anil Kumble is one of the best spinners in the history of Indian cricket and is also their leading wicket-taker in Tests.

Reported by: Saksham Nagar
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Anil Kumble during team India's training session (Image: AP) | Image: self
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The Indian cricket team is taking on West Indes in the first Test of the two-match series at Windsor Park in Dominica. India and West Indies have a pretty old rivalry when back in the 1960s to 1990s, West Indies used to dominate world cricket with their lethal bowling lineup, whereas, on the other hand, the Indian cricket team has not lost a Test series in the Caribbean since 2002.

3 things you need to know 

  • Anil Kumble is the leading wicket-taker for Team India in Tests and has taken 619 wickets from 132 Tests
  • Rohit Sharma will play his first Test in the Caribbean as the captain of Team India 
  • West Indies is also very special for Team India batsman Virat Kohli as he scored his 1st Test double hundred here

ALSO READ | IND vs WI: R. Ashwin gets openers as West Indies slump to 68 for 4 at lunch

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Anil Kumble bowls with broken jaw against the West Indies 

Back in 2002, during India's tour ro West Indies Anil Kumble was hit on his face by a short pitch delivery by the West Indies bowler Mervyn Dillon which broke his jaw and ruled him out for the rest of the Test match. Kumble was about to leave for surgery on the very next day. However, before leaving for home, Anil decided to bowl some overs for his team and help them with his magical spin bowling. The veteran bowled a total of 14 overs in the match and also picked up the wicket of Brian Lara. 

Anil Kumble recalls his wife's reaction on the 'broken jaw' incident 

(Anil Kumble bowling with a broken jaw in the West Indies series in 2002 / Image: Twitter)

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Anil Kumble was recently speaking on Jio Cinema and recalled his wife's reaction when he told her about his bowling with a broken jaw. Recalling the incident Kumble said: 

I told my wife, Chetna and I called her up. When we spoke, I said, look I know I have to come home because I just need surgery. So, she arranged for all of that in Bangalore. And as I dropped off the call, I just told her that look I'll go and bowl, but she thought probably I was just joking. I don't think she even took it seriously

ALSO READ | India vs West Indies 1st Test live score

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Indian bowlers dominates the first session against the West Indies 

The Indian cricket team bowlers dominated the first session against West Indies in the first Test in Dominica and reduced the Windies to a score of 68/4 at Lunch. R. Ashwin was the pick of the bowlers and ended the first session with two wickets whereas on the other hand, Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur picked up one one wicket a piece. 

23:18 IST, July 12th 2023