With the batting trio of Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly and Dravid chosen to lead the side in succession, time appeared to have run out for Kumble.
However, Kumble has always stood out with his perseverance, an undemonstrative demeanour barely masking his determination to bowl the day's first ball and last with the same vigour.
An engineer by profession who switched from pace to spin because of a jerky action, Kumble always maintained he would be honoured if he was called upon to do the job.
Also read: Anil Kumble factfile
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