Anil Kumble turns 49: 5 lesser-known facts about the legendary spinner

Former Indian skipper, Anil Kumble had an amazing career and has earned respect with his contribution to his country. He has scalped a total of 956 wickets in Tests and ODIs he played. He has played 403 matches for the team Blues. Here are a few lesser-known facts about right-arm leg-break spinner on his 49th birthday.

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Happy Birthday, Kumble!

Education

Everybody knows that he is incredible with on-field antics. But the lesser-known fact is that Kumble is not only dedicated to the field, but also off the field. Kumble completed his schooling with from National High School in Bengaluru. Also, he holds a degree of Mechanical Engineering from Rashtreeya Vidyalaya College of Engineering. He never let that engineering degree be an obstacle in his cricketing career and that is quite evident with the legend’s statistics.

Raised and adored in Bengaluru

The spinner is a fan favourite and interestingly, there is a road named after Kumble in Bengaluru. He has also been given the Padma Shri award. Kumble's love for the game prompted him to join the Young Cricketers club at an age of 13. The rest, they say, is history. Who would have imagined a kid who played on the streets of Bengaluru to lead Team India at the grandest stages of all?

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Why Jumbo?

The former Indian captain has also been nicknamed as ‘Jumbo’. The reason behind this nickname is his variations in bowling as played with the conditions of the pitch. There are several theories behind this nickname and one of them was that it is because of his jumbo feet. Also, a lesser-known fact about Kumble is that he has a record of most caught-and-bowled dismissals. He equals that record with former Sri Lanka spinner, Muttiah Muralitharan. They have 35 wickets to their name with this record.

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Fast bowler once?

Kumble's flipper ball was a tough nut to crack. Where did he learn that trick from? No one knows the answer to that but Kumble started off as a fast bowler, which as reported, helped him with the flipper ball. 

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