When lionhearted Anil Kumble put country before self

Former India wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra believes that Anil Kumble is a “great fighter” and will “certainly succeed” in his new stint with the team as head coach.

Ratra and the members of the Cricket Advisory Committee — Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and V.V.S. Laxman — who interviewed Kumble for the post, were a part of the Indian team when Kumble had his jaw broken by a Merv Dillon bouncer, but still came out to bowl with a bandage during the Antigua Test in 2002.

The 35-year-old Ratra who donned gloves in the same Test, recalled: “I could see blood stains on the pitch when I went out to bat after him. It was a scary moment for me though I scored a century in that Test match.

“Kumble is an epitome of determination and commitment. The injury looked so bad that none other would have thought of entering the field. He still came out and bowled a great spell for India.

“I could feel that he was in pain...but on a mission for the team,” he added.

“He came against the advice of our coach (John Wright) and captain (Ganguly). Kumble was so determined to take the field,” Ratra informed.

“It shocked all of us. Actually I was on the field at that time and suddenly saw a tall man in whites with jaw strapped standing on a boundary line with physio (Andrew Leipus). He wanted to come and bowl. He did come and bowl 10 odd hours and took a wicket too,” he said.

Wishing Kumble success, Ratra said he was the right man for the right job.

Meanwhile, Dr Kishore Nayak, who had performed the maxillofacial surgery on Kumble in Bengaluru, is excited to see Kumble in the coach’s role.

“He is a thorough professional. He displayed an extreme sense of humbleness and without much fanfare got the treatment done. His immediate concern then was how soon he could return to playing cricket. And he did that at the earliest opportunity. A true professional indeed,” he said.

“I once approached him for a road safety campaign and he agreed to help without any hesitation.”