Anil Kumble bids adieu to Mumbai Indians

After successful stints as a player and as a mentor, Anil Kumble decides to look for pastures new

Former India captain and India’s highest Test and One-Day wicket taker, Anil Kumble, who had been the mentor for the Mumbai Indians has stepped down from his role with immediate effect, as per the Mumbai Indians website.

Having joined the team in 2013, Kumble’s inclusion had immediately paid rich dividends as the Mumbai Indians won both, the IPL as well as the Champions League T20 that year, followed by the IPL 2015.

"I sign off with the obvious satisfaction of moulding a set of brilliant individuals to a high performing unit. Over the 3 years, MI met unprecedented success winning the IPL twice & the Champions League once. Winning both trophies in the same year (2013) being our crowning glory.

“The players and my support team (coaching and non- coaching staff) have been an admirable bunch and were a joy to work with. Finally, I thank the MI fans for their constant support. I wish the Mumbai Indians farewell convinced that I remain a member of the Ambani family," said Kumble.

The team, co-owned by Mukesh Ambani, has had three continuous successful seasons in the ludicrous franchise based T20 league, having made it to the knock-outs for three years in succession, since Kumble took over as mentor.

Akash Ambani paid his gratitude to the outgoing legend saying, “Shri Anil Kumble is a legend and we thank him for all that he has done for Mumbai Indians. I have personally learnt a great deal from him and will continue to seek his wise counsel and guidance. We take this opportunity to wish Shri Anil Kumble all the very best in all our endeavours."

The leggie has also had stints with his home team, the Royal Challengers Bangalore, the most noticeable being the one in 2009, when he led his team to the final of the tournament, where Deccan Chargers edged them out.

He was the first Indian to breach the 500 and the 600 wicket barriers in tests and the only cricketer after Jim Laker of England to have taken all 10 wickets in an innings when he achieved the figures of 10-74 against Pakistan in Delhi back in 1999.

Kumble now looks forward to try his hands on other opportunitites in sports and cricket. With a distinguished career, both as a cricketer and a mentor, Anil Kumble has been one of the richest jewels that the game has gifted us over the years.