Kumble recalls 'chucking accusation' that shifted his career from pace to spin
New Delhi, June 18
The former India captain Anil Kumble recalled how questions over his bowling action as a teenager forced him to abandon pace bowling and unexpectedly embrace leg spin, a decision that would ultimately define his illustrious career.
Kumble revealed that he was primarily a fast bowler while playing school and club cricket before a senior player raised concerns over his action.
"One of the senior players in my club asked my coach to stop me from bowling as he felt I was bending my elbow. I honestly didn't even realise I was bending my elbow. I was bowling the way that felt natural to me. I was around 13-14 at that time and probably not strong enough," Kumble said while speaking on The Great Indian Cricket Show on Doordarshan.
The accusation left the young Kumble searching for an alternative just weeks before the Karnataka Under-15 selection trials. Unable to continue bowling pace, he turned to his brother for advice, who suggested trying leg spin in the hope of improving his chances of making the squad.
"Then I got a chance for the Under 15 selection trials, which were a month or two away. By then I couldn't bowl pace because people were already saying I used to chuck. My brother told me, 'Try leg spin, there aren't many people, maybe you will get a look.' I didn't even know much about leg spin then. I had heard the name B. S. Chandrasekhar, but television was not common and I hadn't seen him bowl in matches."
Kumble admitted he entered the new discipline with little technical understanding and without formal coaching. Rather than learning textbook leg-spin, he improvised using the grip he already knew from bowling off-spin, teaching himself through experimentation.
"In fact, when I had first picked up a real cricket ball, I bowled off spin grip. So, when I was told to bowl leg spin, I simply used my off spin grip and tried to turn the ball and bowled leg spin. There was no coach standing beside me telling me exactly how to hold it or how to release it; I just did it. A month or two later, at the Karnataka Under 15 trials, I was selected. I went on to play for Karnataka Under 15."
That selection marked the beginning of a remarkable journey. What started as a forced change born out of criticism eventually laid the foundation for a career that saw Kumble claim 619 Test wickets, become only the second bowler to take all 10 wickets in a Test innings, and establish himself as one of India's greatest cricketers.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is honestly a bit saddening from a developmental perspective. The senior player's accusation sounds baseless, and it forced a young bowler to change his style completely. While it worked out amazingly for Kumble, I wonder how many talented pace bowlers we've lost to such unscientific scrutiny. Our domestic system needs better coaching and biomechanical analysis to nurture raw talent.
That's a unique tale of adaptation. Using an off-spin grip to bowl leg spin and still becoming a Test legend—hard to replicate. Also interesting how he didn't have TV to watch Chandrasekhar bowl. Different era, different challenges. Respect for making it work!
Legendary stuff. Kumble's 10 wickets in an innings against Pakistan will never be forgotten. And to think it all started because someone thought he was chucking his pace ball. His determination and ability to adapt even at such a young age shows what a true sportsman he is. What an inspiration for young cricketers! 🔥
It's remarkable that without formal coaching or even seeing a leg-spinner bowl on TV, he taught himself the art. Makes you appreciate how raw talent and self-learning can overcome obstacles. Also funny to think that an off-spin grip became the basis for 619 Test wickets!
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