Sourav Ganguly recalls backing Kumble for the Australian tour in 2003-04

Anil Kumble is regarded as the greatest Indian spinners to have played the game. The veteran called it a day in a series against Australia in 2008. The series was also the swansong of former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly. Two greats hung their boots as India lifted the Border-Gavaskar trophy under the new skipper MS Dhoni.

The baton had passed. The next era in the Indian cricket began. However, the appreciation for both these stars remains intact. Sourav Ganguly recently spoke about the significance Kumble had in the Indian team. He recalled how his faith in the spinner turned out to be a masterstroke.

Kumble is the biggest match winner India has ever produced 

Dada was of the opinion that the leg-spinner had created a larger impact for the Indian team than anyone else.

“Anil Kumble is the most underrated cricketer. I think he is the biggest match winner India has ever produced. We speak about a Sachin Tendulkar or a Virat Kohli or a Ravichandran Ashwin, but it is a fact that Kumble has won far more matches for India than anyone else,” Ganguly was quoted as saying by HT.

If you leave Anil, he may not play for India again

Earlier, Ganguly revealed how he had a role to play in Kumble’s selection for the tour down under, way back in 2003. He stated that while the selectors weren’t quite in favour of Kumble, he had backed him to do well.

“I remember attending a selection meeting before the tour of Australia in 2003. I was the captain of the side and I knew, selectors were not very keen on having Anil in that tour. As I entered the selection meeting, I could sense the selectors had made up their mind to leave Anil Kumble out. I kept on requesting and insisting that he is such a match winner, he is done so much good for Indian cricket. He must be in Australia and the selectors just didn’t agree.”

He disclosed his conversation with then Indian coach John Wright. He also gives a description of how he managed to convince the selectors to pick Kumble for the series.

“I told John that Kumble has been a champion for last 10 years, he is on his way down at the moment, may be because he hasn’t bowled well, but I actually feel it is a temporary thing. I told John if you leave Anil, he may not play for India again. I said I am not going to sign the selection sheet till Anil is in the side. The selectors got fed up with me and said if I don’t play well, if the team does not play well and if Kumble does not play well, I will the first person to go before anyone goes. I said fine, I am ready to take that risk and we will see what happens.”

And there were quite rare instances where players backed by Sourav Ganguly failed to deliver. Kumble picked up 24 wickets in the three-match series.