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Kumble retires from ODIs

28/03/2007

India spinner Anil Kumble has announced his retirement from one-day internationals (ODIs) with immediate effect.

The 36-year-old will now stick to Test cricket for the remainder of his playing career after his country limped out of the World Cup at the group stage.

Defeat in the first round to neighbours Bangladesh and Sri Lanka sealed their fate in the Caribbean and also brings to an end the career of one of the most successful one-day bowlers in international cricket.

In 271 ODI matches, Kumble has taken 337 wickets at an average of just over 30, including decent figures of 3-38 in his final ODI match against Bermuda last week.

His best figures of 6-12 came against the West Indies at Eden Gardens in 1993, when he almost single-handedly dismantled the tourists' innings as they slumped to 123 all out. This performance still ranks as one of the best examples of spin bowling in an ODI.

Despite quitting the one-day game Kumble will continue to play a part in India's Test team, an arena where he is considered one of the world's best.

Just over a year ago, the Indian leg-spinner took his 500th Test wicket – that of England's Steve Harmison – and now has 547 victims to his name.

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