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.

See Also: [WATCH] 'You deserve to be...'- Shreyas Iyer reveals frustration on not getting deserving spot in Indian team for Asia Cup 2025

“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. 

Read More: WATCH: Kieron Pollard's 7 sixes in 8 balls in CPL 2025

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.

ALSO READ: Joe Root Breaks Don Bradman's Record, Proves He's One of the Greatest in Test History

 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.

See Also: ENG vs IND: Rishabh Pant Creates History, Becomes India's Leading Run-Scorer in WTC

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.

Read More: DIF-W vs STO-W Dream11 Prediction Today Match 6 Playing XI: ECS-W T10 Sweden, 2025 Fantasy Cricket Tips, Team, and Pitch Report

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. 

The former Indian captain, Anil Kumble, hasn’t mimicked his words on the on-field umpiring of Paul Reiffel, who nearly, according to the veteran, had decided that ‘anything close would be not out.’ Kumble’s comments came after a horrible decision saw Reiffel rule Joe Root not out despite the right-handed batter using his feet and moving so much to the off-stump line.

It wasn’t the first decision from the umpire that India felt disappointed with. In case of Joe Root, Mohammed Siraj was very confident of Joe Root getting dismissed on that delivery. It was almost a celebratory appeal from the Hyderabad-born, who convinced his captain, Shubman Gill, to show the ‘T’ sign. The rest was up to the TV umpire.

See Also: [WATCH]: First appearance of MS Dhoni's Indian Army-themed customized Hummer

The pitching was in line, the impact was in line, but the main product of ‘wickets hitting’ came as the umpire’s call. The television screen showed Siraj purely frustrated as the Indian camp, unhappily, went back to their position, but Anil Kumble wasn’t happy and expressed ‘It seems if Paul Reiffel has decided that anything close, it’s not out.’ He didn’t mince his words in the commentary box.

Anil Kumble slams Paul Reiffel for a poor umpiring decision

That looked like it would have crashed into the leg stump. That wicket could have been so important at that time for the visiting side, who, even after picking four wickets in the first session, weren’t able to break the fifth wicket stand between Root and Ben Stokes. It wasn’t as if they didn’t bowl well, but the luck seemed to be ending its friendship for the passage of play.

Siraj deserved that wicket, it was very very close. pic.twitter.com/qGL1CGMrRh

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 13, 2025

Earlier in the morning, Paul didn’t raise his finger against Ollie Pope. Siraj was again the bowler. That time the ball was a nip backer as it hit the right-handed batter on the middle and off-stump. Gill took the review and got the result in his favor.

During the evening session yesterday, it was the other on-field umpire, Sharfuddoula, who gave Akash Deep out on leg before the stumps twice in three balls against Chris Woakes before the batter kept his life in the middle thanks to the two consecutive successful reviews.  

The Indian spin bowling all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja achieves another significant milestone in his bowling career. Dismissing England's Ollie Pope during the third Test at Lord's on day one, Jadeja goes past Zaheer Khan's tally of 610 wickets to become India's fifth-highest wicket-taker across all formats. The 37-year-old has made it to the coveted top five list of legendary Indian cricketers, such as Anil Kumble, Kapil Dev, and Harbhajan Singh, to name a few. It is worth noting that Jadeja currently holds 611 wickets for India across formats. 

The Gujarat-based cricketer is now only 76 wickets away from eclipsing Kapil Dev's record of 687 wickets. Moreover, Jadeja isn't far behind Harbhajan Singh in the list, who currently holds the third spot with 711 wickets in his tally. However, the former Indian leggie Anil Kumble sits right at the top of the three with 956 wickets to his name. Jadeja regularly features for India in the ODI and Test formats, and with a handful of years left under his belt, Jadeja can aspire to come very close to Kumble's record of 956 international scalps.

See also: Jadeja is not a front-line spinner... ' - Former India coach slams team management for including Ravindra Jadeja in ENG vs IND Test XI

MOST WICKETS BY AN INDIAN IN INTERNATIONAL CRICKET:

Anil Kumble - 956
Ravichandran Ashwin - 765
Harbhajan Singh - 711
Kapil Dev - 687
Ravindra Jadeja - 611*

Jadeja enters into Top 5 - One of the Greatest ever. 💛 pic.twitter.com/Nujh8l9BF9

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 11, 2025

A quick look at Jadeja's prolific bowling record

Overall, Jadeja ranks 24th in the list of top wicket-takers globally. It is worth mentioning that the crafty spin bowling all-rounder has already left behind legendary greats like Sir Richard Hadlee, Jacques Kallis, and Allan Donald in the race. In Tests, Jadeja has accounted for 326 scalps and 15 five-wicket hauls. He recorded his best bowling figures of 10/110 against Australia, an opposition against whom he has picked up the most amount of Test wickets (93).

A total of 231 wickets have come from the ODI format, which included two five-wicket hauls. He registered his best bowling performance of 5/33 against South Africa. Moving on to the shortest format from which he has retired, Jadeja has claimed 54 wickets in 71 innings, averaging under 30. His figures of 3/15 against Scotland in the 2021 T20 World Cup remain his best T20I bowling figures to date. 

Jadeja has been an exceptional find for India in the past two decades. He is seen as someone who can bowl wicket-to-wicket to curtail the flow of runs and trouble the batters with his sharp turn and guile on helpful bowling conditions. Besides, his contribution with the bat lower down the order makes him a gem of an asset for the side. 

BCCI is yet to announce the squad for India's upcoming Test series, which is scheduled to start on June 20. As both veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from the format, the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar is in search of players who can replace those two legends in the Test setup.

Players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Subhman Gill, KL Rahul, or even Sai Sudharsan are some of the contenders for the opening spot where Sharma used to bat. It'll be more challenging for the board to pick someone up who can bat in the number 3 or number 4 position. Former India skipper and legend Anil Kumble has suggested a name to replace Virat.

Kumble feels Karun Nair is possibly the best fit for the number four position, where a team needs someone who can play an anchor role, especially in English conditions. Nair bought a truckload of runs in Indian domestic cricket and has experience playing for England for the country and for the county club as well. Kumble especially mentioned the batter's experience in county cricket.

Read More: PCB issues update about tickets for remaining PSL 10 fixtures

Nair gained notable experience about english conditions

The right-handed batter played 7 matches and 11 innings in the County Championship and scored a total of 487 runs with an average of 44.27 for Northamptonshire. But the most memorable innings from his bat against England came when he scored 303 runs in a Test match in Chennai, December 2016.

Kumble said in a video, "Karun (Nair) probably deserves to come back into the Indian team with the kind of domestic runs he has had. So perhaps he could be that number 4, because I feel you need a bit of experience. You need somebody, especially in England early on; you'll need somebody who's been there and done that."

Watch what Kumble said about Karun Nair

'Karun deserves a comeback and perhaps replace Kohli at No.4' @anilkumble1074 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/Sk9k1udImL

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) May 15, 2025

The Padma Shri is the fourth-highest civilian award in India, honoring distinguished achievements in various fields, including sports. Numerous Indian cricketers will have been recognized for their remarkable achievements in the game of cricket over these years, with cricket being both the most awarded and most recognized sport in the award category due to cricket being a main part of Indian culture. As of April 2025, there are 40 cricketer recipients of the Padma Shri award, made up of 37 men and 3 women, which partly explains why there are more male cricketers on this list due to history. I hope to frame the discourse around the Padma Shri-awarded cricketers, with reasons for why these cricketers have achieved this prestigious recognition, and lastly their legacies as cricketers, with a table to list all the named recipients of the Padma Shri.

The Padma Shri has been awarded to cricketers since 1960. The first Indian cricketer to receive this award was Vijay Hazare. Cricketers are recognized not just for their competitive performances while advocating for and cultivating Indian cricket on and off the field or elevating the status of cricket in India and internationally. There is history and legacy in having led India to momentous victories and other career milestones. Cricketers have even broken world records or placed Indian cricket on the world stage in a developing cricketing nation. Interestingly, 24% of the awards in sports are awarded to cricketers, illustrating the significance of cricket in India.

Also Read: List of Pakistani Cricket youtube channel banned by Indian Government post Pahalgam terror attack

List of Cricketers Honored with Padma Shri

Below is a table of 22 explicitly named cricketers who have received the Padma Shri, based on available records up to 2025. While 40 cricketers have been honored, some names are not widely documented in public sources.

Cricketers honored with the Padma Shri embody excellence, perseverance, and national pride. Their achievements have shaped Indian cricket’s legacy, inspiring future generations to dream big and strive for greatness.