South Africa head coach, Shukri Conrad, ignited a fierce cricketing debate after using the word ‘grovel’ while describing the team’s strategy on the fourth day of the second Test against India at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. They set a massive target of 549 runs for the Blue Brigade heading into the fourth innings.

Shukri Conrad analysed the dominant position of the Rainbow Nation at the end of the day’s play as he reckoned that he wanted to push the home side to the brink both physically and mentally. Conrad made the point in the press conference.

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“We wanted India to spend as much time on their feet out in the field. We wanted them to really grovel, to steal a phrase, bat them completely out of the game, and then say to them, well, come and survive on the last day and an hour this evening. There were a few factors. We obviously were looking at how best we are going to use the new ball, so that in the morning, we still get a newish, hard ball.” Conrad expressed in the presser.

“History attached to this…”- Anil Kumble drops massive statement on SA head coach

The former captain and the head coach of the Indian cricket team, Anil Kumble, has given his voice on how a team in South Africa’s position should have shown restraint. The word ‘grovel’ triggered outrage and was used by Tony Greig about the Caribbean side.

“There is history attached to this. Fifty years ago, an England captain used the same phrase against the great West Indies side, and we all know what followed. South Africa has most likely won the series, but when you’re on top, your choice of words matters. Humility is the most important at such times. I certainly didn’t expect this from the coach or the support staff.” Kumble addressed on JioHotstar.

“There were a few factors. We obviously were looking at how best we are going to use the new ball, so that in the morning, we still get a newish, hard ball. We felt that when the shadows come across the pitch in the evening.” Conrad shed light.

On the fourth morning session of the second Test between India and South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, the India head coach, Gautam Gambhir, was having an animated chat with the players as the visiting South Africa side had already earned a massive lead of over 400 runs in the second innings.

As Gambhir was seen pointing his finger at a few things while addressing the troops, the former Indian head coach, Anil Kumble, revealed that the Rishabh Pant-led side needs to show some fighting spirit and character to fight it out in the middle to save the red-ball clash and draw the contest.

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“You just have to back up those words. You are up against the best side in world cricket today, who have won the trophy (WTC). Can't have a better chance of showing your character and winning. If we don't win, at least we fight it out and ensure we don't lose. Yeah, those words are fine, but you need to back it up with performance as well.” Kumble expressed on Star Sports as the video goes viral.

Watch: Anil Kumble’s suggestion to Gautam Gambhir during IND vs SA 2nd Test

In the first innings of the game, the Proteas posted a massive total of 489 runs on the board with many top-order batters getting starts but not being able to convert them into a big score before Senuran Muthusamy smashed a fine knock of 109 runs in 206 balls, while Marco Jansen contributed with 93 runs in 91 balls.

pic.twitter.com/sXKUjginxz

— Nihari Korma (@NihariVsKorma) November 25, 2025

Apart from Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 58 and Washington Sundar’s 48 runs, none of the Indian batters stood in the middle as the home side was bundled out for 201 runs, giving away a lead of 288 runs to the tourists in the first innings.

South Africa, in reply, during their second innings stretched their lead to 448 runs and had nearly ruled their probable defeat result out of the equation. The Temba Bavuma-led side is already leading the two-match series by a 1-0 margin, having earned victory in the opening Kolkata Test.

The former Indian star player and the coach of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Anil Kumble, has dropped a stunning suggestion for the Chennai Super Kings ahead of the 2026 season of the event. He reckoned that despite the inclusion of Sanju Samson in the trade window, the five-time champions should continue to open with their captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad. 

It would, however, be an interesting choice for Ruturaj Gaikwad’s opening partner between Ayush Mhatre and Samson. The former was exceptional in the small chances he got last season, while the Kerala batter comes with loads of experience, having opened for the Rajasthan Royals.

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“It's great to see Ruturaj Gaikwad back as captain of the Chennai Super Kings after his injury last season. My clear advice to him is to open the batting himself. While they have Sanju Samson and the promising Ayush Mhatre, Ruturaj is best suited as an opener for CSK. His leadership and batting at the top will provide the stability the team needs.” Kumble expressed on JioStar.

Anil Kumble backs Ruturaj Gaikwad to open for CSK in IPL 2026

Kumble put his weight on the debate of Rajasthan’s next captain, in addition, as he named the three existing players of the squad who can lead the team in the tournament. They will go into the mini auction with a purse of INR 16.05 crore.

“Ravindra Jadeja returning to the Rajasthan Royals is a big move. Generally, CSK doesn't let go of their players, especially someone of Jadeja's quality who has had a long relationship with them. I was surprised they let him go. Meanwhile, Sanju Samson's coming to CSK is certainly a great move for them. Interestingly, Jadeja has also taken a pay cut from 18 crore to 14 crore.” Kumble addressed the interaction.

“They need to find a new captain. They have several options - Riyan Parag led them in a couple of matches last season, Yashasvi Jaiswal has always harbored captaincy dreams, young Dhruv Jurel has the right temperament, and there's the overseas option of Sam Curran. So Ravindra Jadeja becomes another interesting possibility for their leadership role.” The commentator shed light.

Dominating with the ball on home soil is always special for any bowlers in international cricket, and the bowlers who master it become legends. Achieving 250 Test wickets at home is a dream for any bowler, and if we talk about the Indian bowlers, the spinners are expectedly dominating in the list of Indian bowlers with 250 Test wickets at home. 

Indian bowlers with 250 Test wickets at home

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Ravindra Jadeja

The Indian left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, the only Indian left-arm bowler with at least 150 Test wickets at home, has now recorded 250 Test wickets at home in 103 innings (52 matches) during the 2025 Kolkata Test against South Africa. While he has recorded more than 340 Test wickets, more than 70 percent of his Test wickets have been recorded on home soil. In his home Test career, Jadeja's best bowling figures in an innings and in a match are 7/42 (vs Australia in the 2023 Delhi Test) and 10/110 (vs Australia at Delhi in the 2023 Delhi Test), respectively.  

Harbhajan Singh

Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh recorded 265 Test wickets in 103 innings (55 matches) at home. In his Test career, Harbhajan recorded 18 five-wicket hauls and four ten-wicket hauls at home. His best bowling figures in an innings in his home Test career were 8/84 against Australia during the 2001 Chennai Test. Meanwhile, his best bowling figures in a match at home Test were 15/217 in the same 2001 Chennai Test against Australia.  

Anil Kumble

Legendary Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble, India's only bowler with 600+ Test wickets (619 Test wickets), previously held the record for most Test wickets at home by an Indian, as he recorded 350 wickets in 115 home Test innings (63 matches). Kumble recorded 25 fifers and seven ten-wicket hauls at home in his Test career, with the records for the best bowling figures in an innings with 10/74 (vs Pakistan in the 1999 Delhi Test) and the best bowling figures in a match with 14/149 (vs Pakistan in the 1999 Delhi Test). 

Ravichandran Ashwin

Legendary Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, India's second leading Test wicket-taker (537 Test wickets), holds the record for the most Test wickets at home by an Indian with 383 wickets in 127 innings (65 matches) in home Tests. In his home Test career, Ashwin recorded 29 Test fifers and six Test ten-wicket hauls, with the best bowling figures in an innings and a match being 7/59 (vs New Zealand in the 2016 Indore Test) and 13/140 (vs New Zealand in the 2016 Indore Test), respectively.  

The former West Indies opening batter and a long-time IPL star, Chris Gayle, who is known to be the ‘Universe Boss’ for his aggressive batting, has always been a fun-loving character as he has been a regular member across the globe in various T20 franchises, finding himself in most of the all-time T20 XIs. 

However, his IPL career was disrupted with the Punjab Kings in IPL 2021 as he remarked on the bubble fatigue for leaving the side, but also slammed them for disrespecting him. The veteran claimed that he was depressed during his days at the Punjab Kings’ side.

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“Oh my IPL ended prematurely, you know, with Punjab, to be honest with you. Yeah, I mean, absolutely, I mean, I was disrespected in the franchise, Punjab Kings XI. You know, I felt like I wasn’t being treated properly for a senior guy who has done so much for the league, you know, bring so much value to the franchise as well.” Gayle expressed during a podcast show with Shubhankar Mishra.  

Chris Gayle reveals his depression with Anil Kumble for Punjab Kings

Gayle, the 10th leading IPL run-getter with 4965 runs in 141 innings at a strike rate of 148.96 with 31 fifties and six centuries, reckoned that he was incredibly sad with Anil Kumble as he left the tournament after their clash against the Mumbai Indians when he batted at three and got one run in four balls.

“And then you’re being disrespected and they treat you like a kid, you know, and then pretty much I’m just like I felt like the building was on my shoulder. That’s the first time in my life I ever felt like being in a depressive mode. So when people speak about depression, I can get a little sense of that, and it wasn’t for me.” Gayle added in the interaction.

“Oh yeah, I cried, and I was disappointed with Anil and how the entire thing was actually run, the franchise was actually run at that time, and I said, listen, man, thank you. KL Rahul was the captain. He called me and said, “Yo, Chris, you know, you want to stay, you’ll play the next game.” And I said Listen to me, man, I wish you guys all the very best.” The southpaw concluded.

A statistical breakdown between two legends. The comparison between Ian Botham and Anil Kumble may sound unusual but is definitely an interesting one. As Kumble is mostly known for his bowling impact, Botham was an all-rounder, so this analysis will be limited to their bowling stats only. 

These two former internationals from different eras cemented their legacy with their on-field efforts. When Kumble was an active cricketer, India was considered one of the underdog cricket-playing countries despite winning the 1983 World Cup. And England, during Botham's tenure, was one of the leading forces of the cricket world. 

Ian Botham:

Botham's legacy was beyond the cricket fields. During the 1980s, he was one of the top English sports personalities in the world. With his skills, dominance, and flamboyant personality, Botham often appeared in newspaper headlines. In 102 Test matches, the pace bowling all-rounder claimed 383 wickets with his individual best bowling figure of 13/106 for a match. In total, the right-handed bowler notched 5-wicket figures 27 times and 10-wicket hauls on 4 occasions. In ODIs, the former England skipper got 145 wickets in 115 innings. His Test career launched with a bang by pocketing 5 wickets each in two back-to-back matches against their arch rivals, Australia. In his career's fourth Test match, both got 8 wickets. During a match against India in 1980 at Wankhede, Botham booked 13 wickets in his name. 

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Anil Kumble:

Kumble made his Test debut for India in August 1990, though he had to wait a couple of years more to become a regular cricketer for Team India in the Whites. Like Botham, Kumble's initial few matches were beyond expectations. The tall boy from Karnataka quickly established himself as a regular wicket-taking spinner in the format. His first six matches were parts of an overseas tour, where he got wickets in a regular manner. With his towering height, the spinner often caught batters by surprise by generating extra bounce from any type of surface. In 132 test matches, the spinner took a total of 619 wickets, including a best match figure of 14/149. In ODIs, he bagged 337 wickets after playing 271 games. Anil Kumble's best moment for India was his historic 10-wicket haul against Pakistan in Delhi on February 7, 1999, where he took all ten wickets in an innings, a rare feat in cricket history. 

Ian Botham vs Anil Kumble Test Bowling Stats Comparison

Ian Botham vs Anil Kumble ODI Bowling Stats Comparison

Indian Cricket has witnessed some of the finest and legendary spinners who have showcased tremendous consistency in challenging English conditions as far as their wicket-taking abilities are concerned. These spinners have showcased the required temperament to sustain in test conditions through their solid temperament and their ability to adjust. In this piece, we discuss three Indian spinners whose variety and skills often challenged the English batters.

The spinners mentioned in the list possessed the ability to change the length depending on the wickets they played and the playing conditions, as the conditions in England vary depending on different venues. The spinners about whom we are about to discuss in this article possessed different skill sets, yet they showcased efficiency and accuracy. These spinners were match winners on their day. Let's discuss them in detail:

1.Anil Kumble (36 Wickets in 10 Tests)-

"Jumbo", as he was fondly called during his playing days, showcased tremendous accuracy with his length and his ability to take crucial wickets. The former India skipper wasn't a big turner of the ball, but showcased tremendous consistency with his wicket-taking abilities in England. Kumble's bounce was always difficult to judge.

 Kumble claimed 36 wickets in 10 tests he played in England with best bowling figures of 66/4 in an innings and 7/159 in a match. His faster ones were difficult to read, while his googlies often put the English batters in two minds. Kumble had the knack of breaking partnerships with his clever leg breaks.

2.Bhagwath Chandrashekhar (31 Wickets in 9 Tests)-

The former leg break bowler is amongst the legendary figures in Indian cricket. Chandrashekhar's accuracy and his ability to land the ball in the right areas were simply brilliant. He claimed 31 wickets in 9 test matches in England against England with best bowling figures of 6/38 in an innings and 8/114 in a match.

Chandrashekhar used the popping crease cleverly, which outsmarted the batters. He bowled quicker through the air than troubled the English batters as he used his wrists to good effect. His deceptive length caused problems in overcast English conditions for the best English batters. Chandrashekhar had the knack of taking wickets during pressure situations.

 Also Read: Top 5 highest successful run chases at Lord’s

3. Bishan Singh Bedi (35 Wickets in 12 Tests)-

The late legendary off-spinner's round-arm action made it difficult for the English batters to judge the length, which made it difficult for them to play shots freely even on flat batting wickets. He possessed a limited run-up, but his flight and turn were his strengths that enabled him to claim crucial wickets in tough English conditions.

He claimed 35 wickets in 12 tests in England with best bowling figures of 6/226 in an innings and 6/111 in a match. Bedi's biggest strength was his ability to take big wickets that changed the outcome of a game. Bedi's accuracy in flighting the ball and his variety made him a consistent performer in English conditions.

Jasprit Bumrah, the world’s No. 1 Test bowler, is once again leading India’s bowling attack in the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford. On Day 3, he got his first wicket by dismissing Jamie Smith, who was looking dangerous. Smith edged the ball to keeper Dhruv Jurel, who took a clean catch.

With that wicket, Bumrah created history. He is now the first Indian bowler to take 50 Test wickets in England against the home team. This is just his 1th Test in England, making the achievement even more special.

Bumrah now has his eyes on Ishant Sharma’s record of 51 Test wickets in England. If he takes two more wickets in this match, he will go past Ishant and become India’s most successful Test bowler on English soil. That’s not all. Bumrah could also become the top Asian bowler in England. Right now, that record is held by Pakistan legend Wasim Akram, who took 53 wickets in England. Bumrah needs just four more wickets to beat that mark.

There’s one more big milestone waiting. If Bumrah takes another five-wicket haul in this match, he will have 12 five-wicket hauls in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia). That would break Wasim Akram’s record of 11. With two five-wicket hauls already in this series, Bumrah has a golden chance to create more history and show why he’s one of the best fast bowlers in the world today.

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 Most Test Wickets for India Against England (England)

In a remarkable display of courage, former India captain and coach Anil Kumble bowled with a fractured jaw during a 2002 Test match against the West Indies in Antigua. His brave effort is remembered as one of the most inspiring moments in cricket history, reflecting his determination and commitment to the team.

The unforgettable incident remains a highlight of his career, symbolizing true commitment to the game and his team. Despite the injury, he completed 14 overs and even took the wicket of Brian Lara before flying back home.

Reflecting on the moment in 2023, Kumble shared that he had told his wife, Chethana, he would soon return to Bengaluru for surgery. His decision to continue playing despite the pain left a lasting impression on fans and fellow cricketers alike.

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Anil Kumble Talked About His Decision of Playing with Injury:

In the 2002 Antigua Test, after India declared at 513/9, the West Indies responded strongly on a flat pitch. Despite suffering a broken jaw, Anil Kumble chose to bowl, hoping to break through and help India push for victory. Although his effort was courageous, the match ended in a draw as the West Indies posted 629/9 in their first innings before declaring.

He said, “ So, when I went back to the dressing room, I saw Sachin bowling because he was the only guy in the team who could bowl and then Wavell Hinds, I think was playing I don’t remember somebody else was batting. And I thought it was my chance. I have to go and get a couple of wickets.”

He further added, “ If we can get West Indies three or four down, end of day two or three. I think if you can get them out, then maybe, we have a chance to win the game. That was the only thought. So, I told Andrew Leipus – get me out there.”

Anil Kumble had surgery on his jaw and made a quick recovery, joining the Indian team for their England tour just a month later. He played a key role in India’s victory in the triangular series final at Lord’s and was also part of the squad that drew the four-Test series against England 1-1.

Anil Kumble Recalls the Moment of Telling his Decision to his Wife:

Before ending the call, Kumble mentioned to his wife that he planned to bowl despite his injury. She assumed he was joking and didn’t take the comment seriously. In a 2023 interview with JioCinema, as reported by News18, Kumble shared this moment, highlighting her surprise at his decision to step onto the field with a fractured jaw.

He said, “ I told my wife, Chethana and I called her up. When we spoke, I said, look I know I have to come home because I just need surgery. So, she arranged for all of that in Bangalore. And as I dropped off the call, I just told her that look I’ll go and bowl, but she thought probably I was just joking. I don’t think she even took it seriously.”

With his jaw tightly bandaged, Kumble returned to bowl during the West Indies' first innings and managed to trap Brian Lara lbw for just four runs. West Indies great Sir Viv Richards later praised the act, calling it one of the most courageous moments he had witnessed on a cricket field, according to a report by ESPNcricinfo.

Anshul Kamboj is reportedly all set to make his Team India debut in the England vs India 4th Test (ENG vs IND 4th Test), starting from tomorrow (July 23, 2025), at Old Trafford, Manchester. Due to multiple injuries, Team India added Kamboj in the setup as a cover.

Two pacers of the squad, Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep, caught injuries during training sessions, which led Shubman Gill and Co. to call up the Haryana-born all-rounder. If the media reports are to be believed, then the tall pacer is on the verge of making his debut in the format. If that happens, then the emerging cricketer will get a chance to repeat a history, which was made for the first time in 1990.

In that year, at the same venue, Old Trafford, witness another 'AK' making a Test debut. 'AK' means Anil Kumble. Legendary Anil Kumble played his career's first Test match in his iconic ground. Anshul Kamboj, another Indian cricketer with the initial 'AK,' can get his debut cap. Kumble made his debut in the Whites and made his arrival remarkable by capturing 3 wickets in the first innings.

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Kamboj gained experience in England playing for India A

The 24-year-old joined Team India after some brilliant spells in domestic cricket. The pacer took 10 wickets in an innings during a Ranji Trophy match against Kerala in 2024. He traveled to England with the India 'A' team to face the England Lions for a couple of multi-day practice matches.

The all-rounder, hailing from Karnal, made his mark during these practice matches. In three innings of the games against England Lions, he captured five wickets, and with the bat, he scored 23 runs and 51 runs not out in two innings. For India, after getting defeated at the Lord's, it is going to be a must-win contest. England, now leading the five-match series by 2-1, has only 2 matches left to decide the fate of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar trophy.