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Kumble Jokes Dravid 'Rarely Seen Inside' Pavilion After End Naming Honour

The Karnataka State Cricket Association has honoured legends Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid by naming stadium ends after them. Kumble humorously suggested the pavilion end was named for him because Dravid, as a batsman, was rarely seen inside it. He joked about his own bowling from the short-pavilion end not requiring a long run-up. The former spinner expressed deep emotion, recalling his first visit to the stadium as a 9-year-old boy.

Key Points: Anil Kumble's Witty Take on Chinnaswamy Pavilion End Naming

  • Kumble & Dravid ends unveiled at Chinnaswamy
  • Kumble's joke on Dravid's batting longevity
  • Kumble reflects on surreal childhood connection
  • Tribute by Karnataka State Cricket Association
2 min read

'Dravid rarely seen inside...': Kumble's witty take on pavilion end honour at Chinnaswamy

Anil Kumble humorously explains why the pavilion end is named after him and not Rahul Dravid at M Chinnaswamy Stadium. A tribute to two legends.

"Probably because Rahul spent most of his time outside the pavilion. When he used to bat, he was rarely seen inside. - Anil Kumble"

New Delhi, April 6

Legendary India spinner Anil Kumble shared a hilarious take on being honoured with the pavilion end at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium named after him, saying the pavilion end has not been named after Rahul Dravid because he either spent most of his time outside it or because he was 'rarely seen inside' once he walked out with the bat.

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) unveiled the "Anil Kumble End" and the "Rahul Dravid End" ahead of the IPL 2026 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings on Sunday, recognising the contributions of two of Karnataka and India's finest cricketers.

Kumble shared a light-hearted remark involving Dravid. "Probably because Rahul spent most of his time outside the pavilion. When he used to bat, he was rarely seen inside," he told JioStar.

The pavilion end of the stadium has now been named after Kumble, referencing his bowling style and long spells during his career. "And I have been given the pavilion end, probably because it is close to the pavilion and you don't need a run-up to bowl from there. When I played, I bowled a lot of overs from both ends, so why did they give me the pavilion end?," he joked.

Reflecting on the honour, Kumble admitted the gesture had exceeded anything he had imagined during his playing days. "I never thought that there would be a permanent end at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in my name. It's a special feeling," he added.

The former leg-spinner, who remains India's highest wicket-taker across formats, also reminisced about his early connection with the iconic venue, tracing it back to his childhood. "I was 9 years old when I first came to this stadium to watch a Ranji Trophy match between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. So, yes, this feels surreal."

The ceremony, attended by KSCA officials, including president Venkatesh Prasad, marked a significant tribute to two stalwarts whose careers have left an indelible mark on Indian cricket.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Typical Kumble wit! The man who bowled marathon spells gets the pavilion end because he "doesn't need a run-up". Absolute gold! Two Karnataka giants getting their names on the home ground feels perfect.
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Aditya G
While this is a nice tribute, I sometimes feel we name too many things after current or recent legends. What about honouring older players from Karnataka like G.R. Viswanath or E.A.S. Prasanna first? Just a thought.
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Sarah B
As a cricket fan living abroad, this story warms my heart. Kumble and Dravid represent the grit and integrity of that golden era of Indian cricket. The Chinnaswamy is a special venue, and this makes it even more so.
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Vikram M
Jumbo and The Wall! 🇮🇳 Two pillars of Indian cricket. Kumble's joke about Dravid rarely being in the pavilion is so true. Dravid's concentration was something else. Feeling nostalgic for the 2000s team now.
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Kavya N
Heartwarming to read about Kumble's first memory of the stadium as a 9-year-old. From a fan in the stands to having an end named after him – what a journey! These stories inspire so many young kids across India.

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