Happy Birthday Anil Kumble - India's greatest-ever match-winner

Anil Kumble began his playing career in 1990 as a bespectacled legspinner from the state of Karnataka. Initially wanting to become a fast bowler, Kumble switched to legspin. Although he had a modest start to his career, it was not until the 1993/94 season where he established himself as one of the core members of the Indian cricket team. Anil Kumble's first major achievement was to pick up 6/12 in the Hero Cup final against West Indies in Kolkata in 1993/94 and it was one of the best hauls by an Indian bowler in ODI cricket. The record stood for over two decades before it was broken by Stuart Binny against Bangladesh in 2014. (Image credit: Twitter)

When it came to bowling in Test matches in the sub-continent, there would be none more deadlier than Anil Kumble. His ability to run through opponents was legendary and if a dry pitch was presented, then it was expected that Anil Kumble would pick plenty of wickets. This was best illustrated during the historic Test match against Pakistan in 1999 at the Feroz Shah Kotla in New Delhi. In that match, Anil Kumble created history as he became the first Indian bowler and second in Test history to take all 10 wickets in an innings, matching Jim Laker's feat of taking all 10 wickets against Australia in 1956. Kumble's haul of 10/74 gave India a thumping win but the day ensured that Anil Kumble would be legendary in more ways than one. (Image credit: Twitter)

Anil Kumble is best remembered for showing immense guts and bravery on the cricket field. During the Antigua Test against the West Indies in 2002, Kumble was struck on the jaw by a bouncer and it required surgery. However, the iconic image of Anil Kumble running in with his jaw and head bandaged epitomised his greatness. He got two wickets, including Brian Lara cheaply as India drew the match. Kumble missed the remainder of the series but his effort with a fractured jaw symbolised the guts and determination of 'Jumbo'. (Image credit: Twitter)

Anil Kumble played a massive role in India becoming world beaters outside of their comforts of home. His 24 wickets in the four-match Test series against Australia in 2003/04 helped India draw the series 1-1. His five-wicket haul in Multan saw India winning a Test for the first time in Pakistan and he also helped India win a match in England for the first time in 16 years in 2002 with a fabulous performance in Leeds. Anil Kumble was the pivot around which Indian cricket team build their machine of success and it already stamped his legendary status. (Image credit: Twitter)

Towards the end of his career, Anil Kumble ticked several other boxes as well. After 110 Tests, Anil Kumble scored a Test century for India during the Oval Test in 2007. Remarkably, in that series, no one else had scored a century for India. He also had a good stint with captaincy, helping India become the first Asian nation to win a Test match against Australia in their fortress of the WACA in Perth. However, injuries plagued him towards the later part of his career and in the Test match against Australia in 2008 in New Delhi, he announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. Kumble was paraded around the ground like a true hero. Happy 50th Birthday, Anil Kumble. Truly, India's greatest match winner. (Image credit: Twitter)