Perseverance paid off: Kumble

Anil Kumble may not be much of a cake-and-champagne man, but the Punjab Cricket Association and Indian team kept one such mini-ceremony to toast India's most successful bowler.

Kumble attained the milestone of 500 Test wickets on Saturday afternoon on day 3 of the second Test against England and became only the fifth bowler to do so.

"It's great feeling to be able to get to the milestone," he said after the day's play. "It's even more special to be the first Indian to take 500 wickets."

The leg-spinner believes the landmark achievement was a result of his "perseverance" more than anything else.

"I think it's the self-belief that I can perform at this level. There have been a lot of doubts created by people about my career. But I didn't have those doubts, nor did my team members, nor my family. The family support during the tough times was very crucial.

"I believe that any ball can take a wicket. Yes, you'll try and set up a batsman and get him to play a few shots. It's just that you are always trying to play a mental game with the batsmen and as long as you are doing that consistently throughout the day and keep asking questions you are bound to be successful.

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"Even today people still question the kind of bowling. But I guess these same questions were asked 16 years ago and they haven't been answered yet, which is pretty strange," he said.

Always a team-man, the 34-year-old dedicated his feat to all who contributed to his success in whichever way possible.

"It's for all those cricketers who I have played with, to all the fielders who have taken the catches, to all the bowlers who put pressure form the other end, too all those batsmen who got the runs. I think all these wickets wouldn't have been possible but for them.

"I'd also like to thank everyone who stood by me and kept me motivated through the (shoulder) injury."

Kumble has had a special liking for the Englishmen, making his first appearance in Tests at Old Trafford. His first Test wicket was that of Allan Lamb, the 300th was Matthew Hoggard and he reached the exclusive 500-club with the scalp of Steve Harmison.

"[Matthew] Hoggard told me that Harmison's wicket won't make me that happy. He said I'd rather have taken the wicket of a batsman," said Kumble, with a smile.

After claiming Geraint Jones and Harmison off successive deliveries, Kumble missed getting to his hat-trick by a ball.

"You can't ask for too many things. I had just got 500 wickets on the previous ball and I was happy that India could wrap the tail quickly."

Having completed his 400-wicket haul against Australia in Bangalore in 2004, he has taken only 18 months to claim his next 100.

"Last couple of years have been very good. It's the experience and also the way the ball has been coming out of my hand. I'm enjoying bowling. All these years I have spent bowling have helped me understand the game better.

"You try and consistently evolve. The day I think I'll stop experimenting I'll stop playing this game."