Also present in the comm box was Ishant Sharma, who shared his experience of sharing the dressing room with Kumble both as a player and as a coach of the Indian team.
During their conversation, Ishant revealed that he used to feel a sense of fear when he was around Kumble, both on and off the field.
He jokingly mentioned that he still gets that same feeling in the commentary box while sitting alongside the legendary spinner. Curious about Ishant’s statement, Kumble asked him for the reason behind his fear.
In response, Ishant explained that Kumble has become more relaxed now compared to their playing days. He mentioned that Kumble was known for his strict approach as a coach and senior player.
However, Kumble took the opportunity to playfully tease Ishant and brought Yuvraj Singh’s name into the conversation.
According to Kumble, Ishant and Yuvraj have been spreading lies about him, claiming that he was not strict at all. Kumble humorously recounted a recent encounter with Yuvraj and Sachin Tendulkar, where Yuvraj had expressed the same sentiment.
Kumble countered by saying that Yuvraj’s assessment was incorrect, as he considered himself to be a chilled-out person. However, Kumble emphasized that being serious on the field was essential to bring out the best in players.
Anil Kumble, popularly known as “Jumbo,” had a remarkable career representing India. He is renowned for his exceptional spin bowling skills and his never-give-up attitude.
Kumble played 132 Test matches for India, taking a staggering 619 wickets, making him the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket for India and the third-highest overall. He is also the only player in the history of cricket to have taken all 10 wickets in an innings in a Test match.
Aside from his individual achievements, Kumble also had success as the captain of the Indian cricket team. Under his leadership, India registered series wins against formidable opponents like Australia and England. Kumble’s commitment, resilience, and tactical acumen earned him the respect of his teammates and fans alike.
While his playing days may be over, Anil Kumble continues to contribute to cricket. Besides his commentary stints, he has also been involved in coaching roles in IPL.