Anil Kumble to retire after Third test against Aussies

New Delhi, Nov 2 (PTI) Captain Anil Kumble has decided
to retire from international cricket with immediate
effect, bringing the curtains down on India's most successful
bowler ever in both Tests and one-day international.

Although no official word had come from either Kumble
or the Indian team management, commentators of Neo Cricket,
which is telecasting the India-Australia series, made the
announcement shortly after the tea break.

The electronic scoreboard at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground
also flashed the 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, injured his little
finger during the course of the third Test and was doubful for
the last test in Nagpur.

Kumble also had an impressive record in the shorter
version of the game with 337 wickets in 271 matches, the
highest number of scalps by an Indian bowler till date.

Significantly, Kumble's decision to call it quits after
18 years of international cricket came at the very ground
where he picked up all ten wickets in an innings against
Pakistan in 1999.

Regarded as one of the best spinners in the world, Kumble
took over the captaincy in November 2007 after Rahul Dravid
relinquished the post. He led India to victory in the home
series against Pakistan, the first home triumph against the
traditional rivals in 27 years.

A gentleman cricketer, Kumble played a key role in
keeping emotions in check and and being the true ambassador
during India's ill-tempered tour of Australia.

A fighter to the core, Kumble was often criticised for
not being a great turner of the ball early in his career but
the Karnataka stalwart kept silencing his critics with heroic
performances right through his career.

After former captain Sourav Ganguly announced that the
current series against Australia will be his last, Kumble
thus becomes to second senior player to hang his boots.