Despite a broken jaw, India great Anil Kumble recalled his legendary spell against the West Indies during a Test match in 2002. Notably, Kumble received a tremendous blow to the jaw as a result of Marv Dillon’s unusual delivery, which left him spewing blood.
Following the scans, the medical staff suggested Kumble to have surgery. However, the great spinner was eager to take on the task and play again, claiming a wicket in the final innings while allowing only 29 runs in 14 overs.
When asked about the match, Kumble remarked that he was unaffected by the injury because he had to return home the next day for surgery and hence continued to play.
Kumble explaining the West Indies broken jaw spell
“I think I was the only spinner in the playing eleven. I didn’t play the previous two Test matches. I played the first one and then I was dropped for the next two and here I was coming back after the injury. After my shoulder, I played one series and then came back,”
Kumble told JioCinema.
“Yeah so, I knew that I had to go and win the game. We had a chance with six hundred-plus runs on the board. Not many times, when you travel overseas you get that opportunity. So, I knew that if I could go there and then perhaps get a couple of wickets and put the team in a good position, we had a chance to win because I knew I was coming back home,”
he added.
Kumble further stated that he discussed the issue with his wife Chethana and that she assisted in arranging surgery after his return to India.
“I told my wife, Chethana and I called her up. When we spoke, I said, look I know I have to come home because I just need surgery. So, she arranged for all of that in Bangalore and I knew that I was coming back the next day and as I dropped off the call, I just told her that look I’ll go and bowl, but she thought probably I was just joking. I went back to the dressing room,”
Kumble added.
Despite Kumble playing in agony and putting on a superb performance with the ball, the match finished on a tie.
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