India, July 25 -- Anil Kumble. Ten for 74. 619 Test wickets. The leg-spinner with the temperament of a fast bowler. A thinking cricketer, looking every inch the engineer he is by education, whether donning his spectacles or not. A champion performer, come rain or shine, at home or overseas, as general or foot soldier.

Anil Kumble. Also the man who defied a broken jaw to bowl 14 overs in a Test match, on a flat track at the Antigua Recreation Ground in St John's, in May 2002. Who trapped Brian Lara leg before during that unchanged spell, and should have had Carl Hooper out in similar fashion. Who was told by umpire David Shepherd to not talk because of the fracture - the legacy of a bouncer from Mervyn Dillon that hit him flush on the jaw...