The last day of Kotla test match between India and Australia saw the end of career of one of the greatest test match player. It was none other than our Test match captain Anil Kumble. Thus ended a Divine career of 18 years in which kumble played around 132 tests and 271 one day matches.

Popularly known as Jumbo , Kumble was a not only a successful captain but was also a great bowler being the only Indian bowler taking 600+ wickets in test match at a impressive Avg. of 29 and was hence counted among the greats of modern spin bowlers such as Shane Warne and Muralitharan. It is not figures that describe the excellence of this player but his attitude and emotions. He always stood by his teammates and always played his heart out whenever in the field. The last day of career would be remembered as a day full of ambivalent feelings. One felt bad to see the last of those googlies bowled by Kumble but it was also a good sign that now the responsibility will be handed on to the new generation.

The captain's cap has been passed on to the Ranchi wonder boy Mahi alias Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Dhoni who has proved his mettle in one day matches has to prove it in Test Matches too. Any Person who knows even C of Cricket would know that test matches are a different ball game. Dhoni who has captained Indian team in a couple of test matches cannot be judged right now for the two wins he has got (against South Africa and Australia) .Dhoni still has to prove himself as a test match captain. A one day match is like a gamble and luck plays a little bit more than how good a player is. On the other hand Test matches have always been a real test of ones technique, temperament, Concentration. Dhoni who has got an exciting one day Avg. has nothing to boast about his Test match Avg. Dhoni who is still a newbie in Test match can be given as an excuse for this but his real strength and character will only come in spotlight when he starts performing in test matches.

The second issue which arises after retirement of Anil Kumble is regarding the future of the remaining veterans such as Mr. Sachin Tendulkar (The god himself), Mr. Rahul Dravid (a cracked wall), and Mr. V.V.S. Laxman (scoring at right places at right time) Mr. Sourav Ganguly (Dada). Out of these great players Sourav is going to leave international cricket as he has already publicly declared it. Sachin will always have cricket left in him. Even when he will be 90 years old he would be better than half of the cricketers in international cricket. Mr. Laxman always playa a magical innings and thus secures his position in the team. That leaves us with Mr. Dravid who is going through turmoil after he was removed as the captain. But still he has cricket left in him. So the decision of their retirement should be left to these gentlemen.

So a lot of questions remain unanswered after the retirement of one of the greatest players in International Cricket. Cheers to Mr. Anil Kumble.

Retirement has been a discovery of beauty for me.  I never had the time before to notice the beauty of my grandkids, my wife, and the tree outside my very own front door.  And, the beauty of time itself.  ~Hartman Jule