Kumble quits all forms of cricket, pulls out of IPL

Wednesday, 5 January 2011 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Mumbai (PTI) Former India captain Anil Kumble today pulled out of the cash-rich Indian Premier League citing business commitments, a decision which comes barely three days before the players auction.

Kumble, who had already quit Test and one-day cricket, said he was withdrawing from the January 8-9 auction because of business commitments, his association with cricket administration and wildlife in various capacities.

It effectively means that Kumble is now retiring from all forms of cricket after playing at the top level for two decades.

“I wish to withdraw from the players auction for IPL IV scheduled for the 8th and 9th of January 2011 in Bangalore,” said the legendary leg-spinner in an IPL release.

“I have enjoyed my stint at the IPL so far and thank all concerned for the support extended,” said Kumble, who was elected as Karnataka State Cricket Association president in November last year.

Kumble’’s pulling out of the player’’s auction, however, came as a surprise as he had recently increased his base price from USD 2,00,000 to 4,00,000.

He had been among the 22 players with the highest reserve price of USD 400,000 for the IPL auction to be held in Bangalore.

Kumble, who captained Royal Challengers Bangalore in two IPL seasons -- in 2009 and 2010, was not retained by RCB for this season. Only Delhi batsman Virat Kohli was retained by RCB for this season.

Kumble, who made his international debut in 1990, retired in 2008, and remains India’’s leading wicket-taker in Tests (619) and one-dayers (337).

The former Indian skipper was largely responsible for RCB’’s turnaround in the IPL. After being named captain for the 2009 season, Kumble led his team to the final of the Twenty20 league.

A year later, the leg-spinner inspired his team to a third-place finish. Consequently, the team qualified for the Champions League T20 tournament twice under his leadership. Kumble also took 45 wickets in the three editions of the IPL to prove his worth even in the shortest version of the game.