Gritty Anil Kumble's top five rearguard batting
Anil Kumble just had his 43rd birthday. He will be remembered for his services to Indian cricket with the ball and as captain of the test side. When we talk of performances, his 10-wicket haul against Pakistan is etched in everybody’s minds. Also his bowling spell after being injured in the jaw in the Antigua test during which he claimed the important wicket of Lara has been recorded in the annals of cricket as one of the best displays of perseverance and grit ever seen.
But few will remember his batting stints, quite a few of which helped India along in crucial moments. Here are 5 such batting performances by Jumbo that proved to be just what was needed by India at the stage of play.
5. 19* vs England (England in India, Gwalior, 1993)
Though low scoring, this cameo by Kumble was of utmost importance in giving victory to the Indians, who won by 3 wickets with 12 balls remaining chasing the English total of 256. India lost Prabhakar and Kambli early in their chase, following which Azharuddin and Navjot Sidhu held fort to take the score to 179 before the former fell to Devon Malcolm. Sidhu remained on the crease and went on to score a century, while wickets started tumbling on the other end, with the score reading 205/7 at one stage. This was when Kumble walked in and scored a watchful 19 not-out off 33 balls (just the kind of batting that was needed) to see India to the finish line along with Sidhu, building a 52 run stand for the 8th wicket. Kumble did not hit a single boundary but dealt only in singles and doubles to rotate strike to help secure a win for India.