Words Chased: Mantle, Forthcoming, Speculation, Flippant, Void, Daunting, Comprehend, Repertoire, Acrimonious, Bemuse, Simmer, Adversary, Subtle.
It would be hard to pick his greatest attribute. Anil Kumble was a spinner who won matches. His commitment and integrity were unmatched. He was aggressive and courageous, soft-spoken and humble. Jumbo played his cricket with great honour and dignity. The burden of expectations seldom weighed on him. Year after year, he shouldered the mantle of being the spin spearhead. The responsibility only inspired Kumble. There was so much that was ‘correct’ about Kumble even if his leg-spin was not exactly of the orthodox variety. Even the umpires and the Match Referees loved him. Not once was he pulled up for bad behaviour during his 18-year international career.
He would look you in the eye and his hand-shake was firm. Kumble was direct and forthcoming, spoke his m
ind when there was a need. His words were measured, but he would make his point.
Now, he will not bowl for India again. The champion leg-spinner’s decision to retire after the drawn third India-Australia Test in New Delhi saw him once again putting “team over self.”
There were stitches in his non-bowling hand and he was not going to allow speculations about the team and its composition to do the round ahead of the crucial fourth Test at Nagpur.
The last few days were not particularly easy for Kumble. Rumours about retirements in the Indian camp upset him, so did the flippant manner in which some of the accomplished seniors were dismissed by sections of the media. A troublesome shoulder meant his bowling suffered as well. Kumble’s deliveries had lacked bite over the last six months, the fizz off the pitch was missing.
Test cricket’s third highest wicket-taker with 619 scalps in 132 Tests picked his moment to walk away and his timing could not be faulted. Seasons of bowling had also taken their toll and he was being bothered more by fitness concerns. The captaincy baton was passed on to Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Kumble had also cleared the way for the younger spinners. Kumble always reached out to the younger bunch. Lakshmipathy Balaji would tell you tales about Kumble’s discipline and preparation before and during matches and his kind words of guidance. Recently, Amit Mishra revealed that the first call he received after his selection in the Test squad against Australia was from Kumble. The champion leg-spinner leaves with the knowledge that both Mishra and Piyush Chawla are promising leg-spinners. The void left by a giant such as Kumble will be hard to fill and the younger lot face a daunting challenge. The depth in the Indian spin ranks will be tested in the coming days.
If the younger cricketers saw Kumble as a role model, there was also immense respect for the man from the senior players. The other day, Sachin Tendulkar called Kumble a “great warrior.” Kumble was a ‘warrior’ who would not kill a fly. He only knew how to dismiss batsmen. And he comprehended a ‘fight.’ Whether his broken jaw was wired up or his non-bowling arm sported stitches, he gave it all. He conquered the barriers of pain much like a footsoldier. The admiration for Kumble within the team was reflected in the send-off given by his mates at Ferozeshah Kotla. It was a heart-warming moment of genuine affection.
It was only right that Kumble put a full stop to his Test career at Kotla; he had already announced his retirement from the ODIs. The ground meant so much for him, was a home away from home. Kumble staged a memorable comeback here in the 1991-92, bowling himself into the Indian team for the tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa. The Irani Cup duel marked the turning point in Kumble’s career. The leg-spinner relished the bounce in the South African pitches and he, indeed, was back on the highway to glory. Then, when he had become India’s top bowler, Kumble achieved ‘a perfect ten’ in the Pakistan second innings during the series of 1999 at the Kotla. Yes, he could destroy line-ups, was India’s biggest match-winner. The precision in Kumble’s bowling, the ability to send down long spells with control and accuracy, subtle variations, slight spin and killer bounce made him a formidable adversary.
The Smiling Assassin’s bowling simmered with aggression. He only smiled after sending back a batsman. Otherwise, Kumble was all intensity and focus. He would hardly mask his rage at a misfield or a dropped catch but never crossed the line. A wonderful sense of rhythm underlined his bowling. Someone who started as a paceman in his primary school days, Kumble ran in quicker than most spinners. He was also faster through the air. He ripped the ball hard but his deliveries were more top-spun than side-spun. The bounce he extracted on most pitches made Kumble a compelling bowler. In the early stages of his international journey, he bowled a mix of leg-spin and top-spinners. Along the way, he developed the wrong ’un, and the flipper. A tall man, he complemented his height with a high-arm action and a wonderful wrist position. He would change the angle to bemuse batsmen, and his bowling was in harmony with his field placements.
Though not a conventional spinner of flight and guile, he did attempt bowling slower through the air in the later stages of his career and the changes in pace and trajectory added to his repertoire. He could be devastating on wearing surfaces but Kumble was a healthy competitor on any pitch. The leg-spinner once sliced through Australia on a firm first day track at Chepauk (2004). Down Under in 2003-04, he almost won the series for India with persistent high-quality bowling. Pitches with an element of bounce suited his style. Kumble’s spin partnership with off-spinner Harbhajan Singh won several matches for India. The pair had variety, seldom allowed the batsmen to breathe easy. If one didn’t strike, the other could. Kumble’s batting — his Test hundred in the Old Bligthy last year was an unexpected moment of celebration — reflected his determination. His mental strength was enormous; Kumble’s comeback from a disturbing shoulder surgery in 2001 displayed his resolve.
He was conventional rather than attacking in his methods as captain but led the side capably during the acrimonious series in Australia last season.
Kumble leaves but `Jumbo the Giant’ will live on.
Sportstar Archives
Words Chased:
1. Mantle: (Noun)(Dictionary meaning): Something that covers, envelops, or conceals; A loose sleeveless coat worn over outer garments; such a garment regarded as a symbol of someone’s power or authority.
This word can be used as verb which means to cover or envelope something or to spread over a surface.
Synonyms of Mantle: Responsibility, Capacity, Burden, Onus, Covering, Blanket.
She had all the requisite qualities to take up the mantle of leadership after her father retired.
In the context, the word has been used for Anil Kumble’s brilliant performance as the leader of spin attack for more than 10 years.
2. Forthcoming: (Adjective)(Dictionary meaning): About to appear or take place; Affable and candid (for a person); Approaching in time.
Synonyms of Forthcoming: Expected, Approaching, Imminent, Upcoming, Impending, Prospective, Future, Sociable, Communicative, Talkative, Frank.
The investors promised the board members that the funds would be forthcoming.
His opponent in the forthcoming election has won six times from Vaibhavpur.
She was not very forthcoming about the nature of work despite asking her many times.
The word forthcoming is used by the writer to emphasize the frankness and candid nature of Anil Kumble.
3. Speculation: (Noun)(Dictionary meaning): Reasoning based on inconclusive evidence; (Economics, Accounting & Finance / Stock Exchange) investment involving high risk but also the possibility of high profits.
Synonyms of Speculation: Guess, Conjecture, Deliberation, Contemplation, Supposition, Surmise, Gamble.
The well-known scientist has published his speculations about the future of universe in his new book.
According to the speculations of bookies, Australian team is strong contender to win World Hockey cup.
4. Flippant: (adjective)(Dictionary meaning): frivolous, casual and disrespectful; Glib and talkative(obsolete meaning, not used so frequently).
Synonyms of Flippant: Frivolous, Rude, Cheeky, Disrespectful, Impertinent, Impudent.
He invariably replied to her criticisms with a good-natured grin and a flippant remark.
The book is written with a humorous, at times almost flippant tone.
The word “flippant” has been used in the context to describe the feelings of Anil Kumble. He was hurt by the way media has written off the seniors like Ganguly, Dravid and him. The media’s disrespectful behaviour towards senior and his retirement irked him.
5. Void: (Adjective)(Dictionary meaning): Completely lacking in something; Containing no matter; Having no legal force or validity; Not occupied.
Synonyms of Void: Gap, Space, Emptiness, Space, Vacuum, Devoid, Lacking.
The elections were declared void by the President as mass-rigging took place.
His face was void of emotions as he left the room.
The word void has been used for the gap or the hole which Anil Kumble’s retirement will leave in India’s bowling line-up.
6. Daunting: (Adjective)(Dictionary meaning): Causing fear or discouragement; Something which intimidates or frightens.
Synonyms Of Daunting: Intimidating, Frightening, Discouraging, Demoralizing.
The task assigned to him was daunting and challenging.
India had the daunting task of scoring 400 runs in 30 overs to win the match.
In the context also, the word has been used for the Anil’s absence which will be difficult to fill for the new bowlers. It will be intimidating for them since Kumble won so many matches on his own.
7. Comprehend: (Verb)(Dictionary meaning): To take in the meaning, nature, or importance of; To take in as a part; to perceive or understand.
Synonyms of Comprehend: Understand, Perceive, Get the hang of, Assimilate, Make out, Fathom.
I cannot comprehend your behaviour towards your parents.
In understanding these subjects, we come close to comprehending so much more about its national life today.
8. Subtle: (Adjective)(Dictionary meaning): So slight or minute as to be difficult to detect or describe; Difficult to understand; delicately skillful or clever.
Synonyms of Subtle: Fine, Minute, clever, Faint, Slight, Cunning, Crafty, Devious.
Unless you don’t read the poem seriously, you will not understand its subtle meaning.
In the context, the word subtle is used for Anil’s bowling. His bowling has got so many subtle variations that unless the batsmen are not alert all the time, he will commit a mistake. Steve Waugh thought Anil Kumble was relentless. It was a compliment which meant he was always kept coming at the batsman whether it was the middle of the day or fag end of the day.
9. Adversary: (Noun)(Dictionary meaning): An opponent; an enemy; an opposing contestant in a game or sport.
Synonyms of Adversary: Foe, Rival, Contestant, Competitor, Opponent.
His political adversaries plotted downfall of his government.
10. Simmer: (Verb)(Dictionary meaning): To remain at or just below the boiling point, usually forming tiny bubbles with a low, murmuring sound; to be about to break out, as in anger, revolt.
Phrasal Verb related with Simmer:
Simmer Down: To become calm after excitement or anger.
Simmer the ingredients in water for 10 minutes.
Tension was simmering in the room after the heated argument.
In the context, the word simmer signifies Anil Kumble’s aggression. In spite of him being a spin bowler, he had the mentality of a fast bowler. He was very aggressive and in the face of the batsman. He never gave an inch and was simmering with aggression.
11. Bemuse: (Verb)(Dictionary meaning): to confuse; to plunge in thought; preoccupy.
Synonyms of Bemuse: Muddle, Perplex, Mystify, Flummox, Confound, Bewilder, Puzzle, Stun.
After the Maths class, he looked bemused.
To confuse the batsman, Anil Kumble will try out different angles, bowling from over or round the wicket. He would also bowl either from close of the crease or wide of the crease to create different angles to bemuse the batsmen.
12. Repertoire: (Noun)(Dictionary meaning): the stock of special skills, devices, techniques, etc. of a particular person or particular field; The stock of songs, plays, operas, readings, or other pieces that a player or company is prepared to perform.
Synonyms of repertoire: Stock, Collection, Store, Repository.
Glenn McGrath has lot of variations in his repertoire.
In the context also, the word means the same thing. Anil Kumble has many variations with which he bamboozles batsmen. He used to bowl fast-leg spinners, top-spinners, googlys, flippers to create doubts in batsman’s mind.
13. Acrimonious: (Adjective)(Dictionary meaning): Bitter and sharp in language or tone.
Synonyms of Acrimonious: Bitter, Caustic, Biting, Sharp, Sarcastic, Spiteful, Vitriolic, Hostile.
The debate between two presidential candidates shown live on television was anything but acrimonious.
Their marriage ended in acrimonious divorce.
The word acrimonious has been used for India-Australia series in which lots of controversies took place and Kumble led the team very well. He stood for his team-mates and backed them to hilt. As a result, Indian team almost came on the verge of winning the test match series in Australia for the first time.