New Delhi: It is finally time for the Spin King to call it quits. Anil Kumble announced his retirement after the Kotla test on Sunday.
MS Dhoni will reportedly take over as Test captain.
Announcing his retirement, Kumble said, “I had an injury which was quite unfortunate. It has been a fantastic journey. I would like to thank my team and my family. It has been a tough decision. Now I would like to spend more time with my wife and children.”
The spin bowler said that he would like to be remembered for giving his 100 per cent every time he went to the field. “I want to be remembered as someone who raised the bar for the team,” he said.
“Bowling for 18 years is not a joke. My last injury helped me make this decision. I did inform those who matter about my decision. Criticism is part of every sport so it is not a decision based on criticism. I don’t regret any moment in the last 18 years,” Kumble added.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Selection Committee Krish Srikkanth said Kumble's exit was a great loss to Indian cricket.
"It was a personal decision. I don’t think we should get into the why, when and what. He feels it is the right time for him to go out," Srikkanth said.
“As a captain he was the best ambassador of India. A lot of cricketers had tears in their eyes when he announced his retirement in the dressing room. It is an emotional moment for all of us. An era has really come to an end,” Srikkanth added.
Kumble, who quit with immediate effect, sustained an injury on his left hand while fielding in the first innings and bowled with 11 stitches. The bowler has been in poor form this year.
He has also been under pressure for his place, especially after Amit Mishra claimed seven wickets in his debut in the last Test at Mohali.
The selectors have been informed and Dhoni will formally take over as captain from the fourth test in Nagpur.
The electronic scoreboard at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground first flashed a message about Kumble's retirement.
The 38-year-old leg spinner, who has captured 619 scalps in 132 Tests to be third in the list of highest wicket-takers after Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan.
Kumble's retirement comes after former skipper Saurav Ganguly announced that the current Australia Test series would be his last.
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