VVS Laxman Pays Tribute To Anil Kumble, Hails India's Spin Great As 'Giant In Every Sense'

On Monday, Laxman paid tribute to Kumble by posting a throwback picture of the 2002 Test match against the West Indies in which the leg-spinner showed tremendous resilience and courage, playing with a broken jaw in Antigua.

India vs West Indies Antigua Test (Image: VVS Twitter)

New Delhi: Former Indian Test cricketer VVS Laxman has showered praise on his fellow national team mate and spin great Anil Kumble, saying the legendary leg-spinner was a "giant in every sense who rose above and beyond the call of duty". Amid all cricket activity coming to a standstill due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Laxman on Sunday revealed that that over the next few days, he would be paying tribute to some of the cricketers he's played alongside with and had an influence on him and his cricket career. On Monday, Laxman paid tribute to Kumble by posting a throwback picture of the 2002 Test match against the West Indies in which the leg-spinner showed tremendous resilience and courage, playing with a broken jaw in Antigua. "A giant in every sense, he rose above and beyond the call of duty. The grit, drive and bravery displayed through this picture is quintessential Anil Kumble. Never giving up, no matter what, was a trait which made Anil the cricketer he became," tweeted Laxman.

A giant in every sense, he rose above and beyond the call of duty. The grit, drive and bravery displayed through this picture is quintessential @anilkumble1074 .Never giving up, no matter what, was a trait which made Anil the cricketer he became. pic.twitter.com/pEPNgVRcPA

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) June 1, 2020

In India vs WI Antigua Test in 2002, Kumble was struck by a lethal bouncer from Mervyn Dillon and suffered from a broken jaw. However, despite suffering from excruciating pain, Kumble continued playing the game and ended up bowling 14 overs on the trot and finished with respectable figures of 14-5-29-1. 'Jumbo' represented India in 132 Tests and 271 ODIs in which he scalped 619 and 337 wickets respectively. The 49-year-old stands third in the list of leading wicket-takers in Test cricket, behind Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and Shane Warne spin great (708). He is currently serving as the chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket Committee.