Anil Kumble has given more to Indian cricket than Indian cricket has ever given him. Whatever the situation, the leg-spinner has come out fighting; sometimes emerging a hero, the others taking a lesson from defeat.

If Kumble is among India's [ Images ] biggest match-winners, it is because he has tried to stretch convention the farthest, defy destiny the most.

A leg-spinner, who hardly turns the ball and bowls as fast as the medium pacers, his is the most glittering yet non-glamorous journey to the top.

On Saturday, the Karnataka [ Images ] spinner conquered another peak by becoming only the fifth bowler in Test cricket, and the first from India, to take 500 wickets. He wrapped the England [ Images ] first innings in Mohali, finishing with 5 wickets for 76 runs.

Join in the celebration. Congratulate Kumble!