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Kumble betters world record

November 22, 2007 12:21 IST

Anil Kumble [ Images ] broke a world record when he led India [ Images ] out against Pakistan in the first Test in Delhi [ Images ] on Thursday.

The ace spinner appeared in 118 Tests before making his captaincy debut, thus making him the most experienced Test player to lead a side.

He bettered the record of Steve Waugh [ Images ], who led Australia [ Images ] for the first time after playing 111 Tests.

The following is the list those who have played at least 75 Tests before captaining their respective countries for the first time:

Tests

Player

Opp

Venue

Season

118

A Kumble (Ind)

v Pak

Delhi

2007-08

111

SR Waugh (Aus)

v WI

Port-of-Spain

1998-99

97*

JH Kallis (SA)

v Aus

Johannesburg

2005-06

95

DB Vengsarkar (Ind)

v WI

Delhi

1987-88

86

DL Haynes (WI)

v Eng

Port-of-Spain

1989-90

80

CG Greenidge (WI)

v Pak

Georgetown

1987-88

80

CL Hooper (WI)

v SA

Georgetown

2000-01

80

S Chanderpaul (WI)

v SA

Georgetown

2004-05

75

RT Ponting (Aus)

v SL

Galle

2003-04

(*Kallis's tally excludes one match in which he represented a World XI against Australia)

Note: Australian Shane Warne [ Images ] has appeared in most Tests (145) without ever leading his side.

Rajneesh Gupta