Former Star Player of Team India, Anil Kumble, reveals what inspired him to bowl with a broken jaw
Both India and the West Indies have engaged in some of the most intense cricketing battles over the years, and there have also been incidents of players rendering their services for the country despite being battered in pain. One popular example of such an incident is Anil Kumble, who refused to remain in the dressing room and kept playing; he actually bowled with a bandaged face and a broken jaw.
The incident took place in a Test played at Antigua back in 2002, which ended in a draw. Recalling the incident, Kumble shared an interesting anecdote involving his wife, Chethana.
Kumble told me during his interview that "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 as I dropped off the call, I just told her, Look, I'll go and bowl, but she probably thought I was just joking."
"I don't think she even took it seriously. What's he saying?"
Batting at No. 7, Kumble was struck by a bouncer from Mervyn Dillon and looked in immense pain. He spat blood following the blow but still stood tall and continued to bat.
Kumble further said, "So, when I went back to the dressing room, I saw Sachin bowling because he was the only guy in the team who could bowl, and then Wavell Hinds, I think, was playing; I don't remember somebody else was batting."
Continuing his statement he said that, "And I thought it was my chance. I have to go and get a couple of wickets. If we can get the West Indies three or four down by the end of day two or three, I think if you can get them out, then maybe we have a chance to win the game. That was the only thought. So, I told Andrew Leipus, Get me out there."