Karnataka - Bangalore

Council congratulates Anil Kumble for taking 500 wickets in Test cricket

Staff Reporter

Sudarshan suggests cricket match between Karnataka cricketers and legislators

BANGALORE: The Legislative Council on Thursday rose in unison to adopt a resolution congratulating Anil Kumble on his capturing his 500th Test wicket during the second Test in the series against England, played at Mohali.

A passionate but brief discussion on cricket ensued, with members showing off their love for the game.

Moving the resolution, M.P. Nadagouda (Janata Dal-U) said Anil Kumble was the pride of Karnataka, particularly since he had been creating records with his bowling prowess in a long run as a senior member of the Indian cricket team.

Leader of the House D.H. Shankaramurthy, who went down memory lane to his own youth when all cricket-crazy folk had was radio commentary to experience the highs and lows of the game, said, "England's Jim Laker had once taken all ten wickets in a match, and much later, India missed this distinction by one wicket when Subhash Gupte claimed nine wickets."

"But I have one regret, that he did not become captain of the Indian team. Even though the present captain, Rahul Dravid, is also from Karnataka, I always thought Mr. Kumble is excellent captain material," he added.

Leader of the Opposition, H.K. Patil, said he had recently met Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, who is also president of the Board for Control of Cricket in India, and congratulated him on his own achievement as well as Anil Kumble's.

Sports and Youth Services Minister Alkod Hanumanthappa said the Government will shortly invite Anil Kumble and felicitate him.

Chairman V.R. Sudarshan, who is known to be partial to extracurricular activities for legislators, and has organised cricket matches and other events for Legislators' Day, said it would be good to invite all the cricketers from Karnataka and play a match against them.

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