'Wife thought I was probably joking’ – Anil Kumble recalls bowling with broken jaw

India great Anil Kumble recalled his iconic spell against West Indies during a Test match in 2002 despite broken jaw. Notably, Kumble endured a massive blow to his jaw following a freak delivery by Marv Dillon, which left him spitting blood. The medical team advised Kumble to undergo a surgery following the scans. However, the legendary spinner was determined to take on the challenge and resume playing as he claimed a wicket in the final innings, giving just 29 runs in his 14 overs.

Recalling the clash, Kumble stated that he was unfazed by the injury as he had to head back home the following day for surgery and hence continued playing. “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 recalled that he held talks with his wife Chethana regarding the incidentand she helped in the arrangement of 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 pain and producing a stellar show with the ball, the match eventually ended on level terms.