‘I just told my wife that look I’ll go and bowl, but she thought was probably joking’ – Anil Kumble talks on bowling with broken jaw against West Indies.

Indian cricket legend Anil Kumble recently reminisced about his unforgettable performance during a Test match against the West Indies in 2002, despite enduring a broken jaw. The incident occurred when Kumble was struck by a delivery from Marv Dillon, resulting in a severe blow that caused him to spit blood. Despite the medical team advising him to undergo surgery after scans revealed the extent of the injury, Kumble was determined to continue playing and face the challenge head-on. Incredibly, he managed to claim a wicket in the final innings, conceding just 29 runs in his 14 overs.

Reflecting on that remarkable clash, Kumble revealed that he remained undeterred by the injury, knowing that he had to return home the following day for surgery. Therefore, he made the courageous decision to keep playing.

Kumble said “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.” 

“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,” 

Kumble also mentioned that he had discussions with his wife, Chethana, about the incident, and she played a crucial role in organizing the surgery once he returned to India. Despite playing in immense pain, Kumble exhibited exceptional skill with the ball, delivering a stellar performance. However, despite his efforts, the match ultimately ended in a draw.

Kumble revealed “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.”