When retired hurt players made a daring comeback to the cricket field

#2 Anil Kumble with a broken jaw against West Indies

Anil Kumble celebrates after dismissing Brian Lara in the 4th Test at Antigua, 2002

Anil Kumble, India’s ace leg-spinner with 619 Test wickets to his tally is vividly remembered for his bowling spell against the West Indies in the 4th Test of the series at Antigua in 2002.

While batting in India’s first innings, Kumble took a major blow on his jaw from a rising delivery of Mervyn Dillon. After spitting blood, Kumble still batted for 20 minutes before losing his wicket to Dillon.

Diagnosed with a broken jaw, Kumble simply strapped his face with the help of team’s physio Andrew Leipus and dared to bowl against the mighty West Indies batting line-up. Kumble managed to take the most important wicket of Brian Lara in the West Indies line-up.

“I thought I had to go in the middle and serve the team when it needed me. It was pointless sitting in the pavilion," said Kumble after getting a standing ovation from the crowd. The match however ended in a tame draw due to the poor quality of the pitch.