I wanted to leave after trying my best: Kumble

Ace leg spinner Anil Kumble, who stunned all by bowling 14 overs on the trot with a fractured jaw and ended the day in pain, said he wanted to leave the Caribbean islands after trying his best.

"I knew I had to go back home because of this injury. I wanted to go home with the thought I tried my best," Kumble said, barely being able to open his mouth.

"I was really nervous for the first time in my life going onto the field as there was a bit of risk, but I thought it was worth it," said Kumble, who picked up the prized wicket of Brian Lara and nearly dismissed Windies skipper Carl Hooper to end the day with figures of 14-5-29-1.

"Outside India, I never had a chance to bowl when we had scored 500-plus. I thought this was the best chance for me. I had come to the West Indies with high hopes and expectations. But, personally, it was disappointing for me. I had my chance here. I had an opportunity to go and bat there, high up in the order, but it didnt work out," said a disappointed Kumble, who returned to the team after being dropped for the second and third Tests.

"For the first couple of overs, it was okay so I continued. If it was really bad, I would have come off.

"There was not much pain when I was bowling. At the end of it though it was paining, I was beginning to cramp up. Maybe, because of lack of nutrition; maybe the adrenaline was pumping up too much," said Kumble.

"It was his decision; we never pushed him. We just told him if it was painful, he must come back. He must not hang around," said physio Andrew Leipus.

"When he saw Sachin [Tendulkar] turn the ball, he decided to go in," said Leipus.

"He saw that wicket had some turn and he was going to give his best.

"After his jaw was strapped, Anil rehearsed a few times in the dressing room. Then he jumped around a bit and went on to the field," he said.

"The instruction was also clear. Kumble should not open his mouth, even for a leg-before shout," said Leipus, shaking his head in disbelief as the leggie went up appealing quite a few times.

After trapping Lara leg before, Kumble almost sent back Hooper, but the catch taken at forward short leg was off a no-ball.

"If we could have got Hooper out, we would have been in a good position, but I think we still have a good chance in this game," said Kumble.

Leipus, along with Harbhajan Singh, positioned himself along the fine leg boundary where Kumble fielded and gave him liquids between overs.

"The effect of pain-killers was wearing off after the day's play and Kumble was beginning to get some pain," the physio said.

Kumble, who was hit on his jaw by a short, rising delivery from West Indies fast bowler Mervyn Dillon on Saturday, was unaware of the damage his jaw had sufffered as as the first X-ray didn't reveal anything. But he spent the night in pain and was taken to hospital again on Sunday morning for a second X-ray, which confirmed the worst fears that the jaw was broken from the front of his teeth right down towards the neck.

"The doctors temporarily tried to keep it in position. The tooth was moving and there was a crack.

"Two doctors, who are from India, said no matter what I do, I would not be making it worse. And even if I do, they, in any case, are going to cut it open," said Kumble.

Kumble was sure he would have to undergo a surgery but he wasn't sure if he would be leaving for home today or tomorrow.

"I have spoken to my dentist and my wife (in Bangalore) and they know about it," Kumble said, confirming he would have the surgery done in Bangalore.

Leipus also said Kumble would be definitely going back home in the next 48 hours.

Meanwhile, Kumble's bravery made even the legends search for a parallel at the end of the third day's play.

"Cricket has a way of producing inspiring tales of valour for the country and this ranks at the very top," said Sunil Gavaskar, Test cricket's second highest run maker, who has been associated with international cricket for over 31 years now.

"In the old days they said the boys became men when they tour the West Indies. The spirit (of Kumble) is so refreshing and it bodes well for Indian cricket," Gavaskar said.

Gavaskar could only recall the instance of Vijay Manjrekar coming out to bat with his broken arm strapped, in an effort to help Chandu Borde get to his hundred in a Test match. "But then, as a bowler, it is quite different."

Coach John Wright found it inspiring and said all Indian cricket lovers should be proud of Kumble's courage.

Also read:
- Gavaskar applauds Kumble's valiant effort
- Gritty Kumble pushes Windies back
- Injury rules Kumble out of Antigua Test

Mail Cricket Editor