The date of 9 August is very special for Anil Kumble, one of India’s greatest bowlers and a former captain. It is so special that today he wrote an emotional post on Instagram, remembering this day and going back 35 years. In this post, Kumble also gave a special message, which can be a great lesson for young players.
Thirty-five years ago, on 9 August 1990, Kumble played his first international match. This match was against England at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester. Kumble remembered this day and shared his experience in his post.
The start was not good
In this match, Kumble bowled 47 overs in the first innings and took three wickets for 105 runs. In the second innings, he bowled 13 overs but could not take any wicket. Kumble mentioned in his post that sometimes you don’t get the start you want, but with constant hard work, you can achieve a lot.
He wrote, “That day taught me many lessons which I still carry with me. To make something good, you don’t need a perfect start. In cricket, we often talk about a five-wicket haul or a match-winning spell.”
Kumble further wrote, “Behind every success are years of persistent effort. This includes waking up early, long and tough net sessions, and working quietly even when times are not in your favour. My early years in international cricket were all about learning — how to handle pressure, deal with bad moments, and recognise my strengths. I was not a player who spoke much on the field, but I realised early that whatever I did with the ball would speak for itself.”
View this post on Instagram
Such was his career
Kumble is India’s highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. He has taken 619 wickets in 132 Test matches. In ODIs, he played 271 matches and took 337 wickets. Kumble is considered one of the greatest bowlers in the world. He is fourth on the list of highest wicket-takers in Test cricket history. For a long time, he was third on this list, but England’s James Anderson later overtook him.