On the left is VVS Laxman and on the right is Anil Kumble.
VVS Laxman shares why former teammate Anil Kumble was a better batsman than he gave himself credit for.
VVS Laxman and Anil Kumble were teammates for many years. The duo are good friends even today and the camaraderie was evident at an event in Mumbai recently.
Dressed in suits rather than the whites of Test cricket, the former bowler and middle order-batsman enjoyed a few laughs. Laxman said that how, in his opinion, Kumble was a better batsman than bowler.
“Bowlers always say that they love bowling. But deep down they always think they are the best batsmen,” Laxman said. “Anil has taken 10 wickets [in an innings, a record] against Pakistan. If you ask him if it was special, he would agree. But there was also his [lone] hundred at the Oval. One needs to just look at his celebration after that ton. He was like a child. Bowlers love batting more than batsmen do.”
Microsoft Executive Vice President of Business Development Peggy Johnson (2nd L) with cricketers (L-R) Robin Utthappa, Anil Kumble, VVS Laxman, Ian Bishop, Abhinav Mukund and Star India Executive Vice President (Sports) Sanjog Gupta at the launch of 'Power Bat' technology, in Mumbai.
Kumble is a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering and the background always showed in his understanding of the game from a scientific point of view, Laxman felt.
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“Anil always had an interest in technology and he was always one or two levels higher when it came to that,” Laxman said. “He knew how the game would progress, what would help the players benefit.” Laxman also had a take on Kumble’s use of data when he was the coach of the Indian team.
“Every player is different,” Laxman said. “There are those who love data and some who don’t want it. It is the same with coaches. Anil always felt it was a platform that would help the team more than a player or a coach.”
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Anil Kumble was born in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on 17 October 1970 to Krishna Swamy and Saroja.
He made his ODI debut on 25 April 1990, during India's clash against Sri Lanka in Sharjah.
Anil Kumble was born in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on 17 October 1970 to Krishna Swamy and Saroja.
He made his ODI debut on 25 April 1990, during India's clash against Sri Lanka in Sharjah.
Anil Kumble had always been a bright student, in fact, he excelled in studies too.
He did his schooling from the National High School in Bangalore and his graduation in mechanical Engineering from Rashtreeya Vidyalaya College of Engineering.
Anil Kumble had always been a bright student, in fact, he excelled in studies too.
He did his schooling from the National High School in Bangalore and his graduation in mechanical Engineering from R..
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Kumble is one of only two bowlers ever (the only other being Jim Laker of England in 1956) to have taken all ten wickets in a Test innings, taking 10 for 74. Kumble achieved this against Pakistan in the second Test played in Delhi in February 1999.
In Pic: In Pic: Anil Kumble (right) successfully appeals for Yasir Hameed's wicket on the second day of the third and final test against Pakistan at Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore on December 9, 2007.
Kumble is one of only two bowlers ever (the only other being Jim Laker of England in 1956) to have taken all ten wickets in a Test innings, taking 10 for 74. Kumble achieved this against Pakistan in ..
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Kumble is married to Chethana Kumble and has two children – son Mayas Kumble and daughter Svasti Kumble. He also has a daughter Aaruni Kumble (Chetna's daughter from her first marriage).
In Pic: Anil Kumble is seen at his residence in Bengaluru along with family.
Kumble is married to Chethana Kumble and has two children – son Mayas Kumble and daughter Svasti Kumble. He also has a daughter Aaruni Kumble (Chetna's daughter from her first marriage).
In Pic: Ani..
