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BCCI surprised over Kumble's retirement

BCCI surprised over Kumble's retirement

New Delhi (IANS): India's Test captain Anil Kumble announced his retirement from the international cricket during the fifth and the last day of the third Test against Australia on Sunday. His decision caught the BCCI completely off guard.

This will be Kumble's last international game for India and he will not travel to Nagpur for the last Test that begins on Thursday. His deputy Mahendra Singh Dhoni will take charge in the final match. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was caught unaware with Kumble 's decision to end to his 18-year long illustrious career.

BCCI's secretary N. Srinivasan was shocked to hear the news of the 38-year-old's retirement. "What, has he announced retirement? Don't worry if he takes any decision, he will consult with me," was Srinivasan's first reaction when contacted by IANS. "I have not been informed about any such decision," he added.

The senior players in the side were facing pressure to call it a day after a disastrous tour of Sri Lanka. Former skipper Sourav Ganguly, before the start of first Test at Bangalore, decided to hang his boots after the final Test at Nagpur.

Though Kumble's decision was not too far off,no one expected it to come this way and that too in the middle of an important series, in which India lead 1-0. The giant screens at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium flashed one-liner saying "Anil Kumble has decided to retire after this match and will not travel to Nagpur for the final Test". The news took the media by surprise, as the Test headed for a draw.

Kumble, who was going through a long form slump and did not play in Mohali because of a shoulder injury, came to bowl on Saturday after receiving ten stitches with his injured left-hand heavily bandaged.

Kumble is the leading wicket-taker for India and third highest in world with 619 wickets from 132 Tests. He retired from the one-day cricket in March 2007 with 337 wickets at 30.89 in 271 one-dayers. His last game was against Bermuda in the World Cup where he took 3 for 38 in India's 257-run win.

Kumble is renowned for his 10 wicket haul in a Test innings against Pakistan in New Delhi in 1999, becoming only the second bowler to achieve the feat after Englishman Jim Laker. His best one-day performance was six for 12 against West Indies at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata during the Hero Cup tournament in 1993.

Kumble announces retirement

Anil Kumble bowled his last ball for India as the third Test with Australia ended in a draw.

The India skipper announced his retirement before calling a halt to India's second innings on 208 for five, a lead of 244.

That left a possible 23 overs remaining in the day and Kumble came out to bowl four wicketless overs before the captains shook hands.

VVS Laxman had backed up his first innings double hundred with a an unbeaten half-century in the second earlier on the fifth day.

Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson raised faint hopes of a dramatic Australian victory with a wicket apiece in the morning session, but that prospect was ground into the dust at the Feroz Shah Kotla.

Gautam Gambhir (36) and Sachin Tendulkar (47) kept India afloat until Laxman (57 not out) and Sourav Ganguly (32 not out) led India to their declaration total deep into the final session.

That left Australia with the improbable task of chasing 245 for victory and Kumble opened proceedings with the new ball.

Matthew Hayden (16 not out) and Simon Katich (14 not out), however, denied the prolific leg-spinner a final hurrah as they reached 31 for no loss when stumps were drawn after eight overs had been bowled.

Kumble shook hands with his team-mates, both Australian batsman and the umpires at the end and was carried around the ground on the shoulders of his successor Mahendra Singh Dhoni for one last farewell at the Kotla, a venue which had brought him immense success.

The result means India take a 1-0 lead into the fourth and final Test at Nagpur, which starts on Friday, but Australia have a chance to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy should they win there.