Gambhir says Anil Kumble would have recorded 900 Test wickets with DRS

 

Gautam Gambhir believes that former spinner Anil Kumble would have recorded over  900 Test wickets if the Decision Review System (DRS) was available during his time.

The former India cricketer, who extol the virtue of the out-of-favor tweaker Harbjahan Singh said with ADR’s presence, he would have had more tally like 700.

Kumble hanged up his bat as the third-highest wicket-taker in the world with 619 in 132 Tests. Singh is behind him with 417 wickets in 103 Tests. The duo is currently in the top three list of top wicket-takers for India in the longest format.

Speaking during an Instagram live session with Sports Tak, Gambhir said the umpires missed leg before wicket decisions on front-foot, adding that Singh took seven wickets in Cape Town. He said that If the game were played on rank-turners, the opponent would not have been able even to get 100 runs.

Still lauding Kumble’s leadership qualities, Gambhir said he would have given his life for a captain like him. This he said is because he felt secure of his place with Kumble leading the team.

While revealing an anecdote involving Kumble, apart from his secured spot in the team, Gambhir said this gave him confidence and helped his focus, which produced good performances on the field.

Remniscencing the 2008 series against Australia, Gambhir revealed that Kumble walked in while he and former teammate Virender Sehwag were having dinner told them that they would have to open throughout the series and not do otherwise under any circumstances.

He also said that Kumble noted that it doesn’t matter even if they get eight ducks in the four-match series.

He said this wowed him, and he had never heard such words from anyone in his career. This is why he said if he has to give his life for someone, it would be Kumble because those words are still glued to his heart.

 

 

Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed