Anil Kumble's farewell from the one-day internationals arena was, like the man himself, understated and modest. Having informed his team about his decision in the West Indies itself, he formally made the announcement in hometown Bangalore on Friday.

One couldn't help feeling that the great man, India's most successful bowler and a team-man to the core, deserved a better end to his ODI career.

Instead of a blaze of glory, Kumble ended up being part of an Indian team that failed to advance into the second round of the World Cup for the first time since the 1970s.

Some images from his career:



The 36-year-old leg-spinner played in 271 one-day internationals after making his debut in April 1990 and took 337 wickets --- seventh in the all-time list.

Kumble played sporadically in the shorter version after the 2003 edition of the World Cup in South Africa, where India finished runners-up to Australia, before being recalled for the Caribbean event. Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was preferred over him.

A match-winner in Tests, especially at home, he will forever be remembered for taking all 10 wickets in a Test innings --- only the second bowler after England's Jim Laker --- against Pakistan in New Delhi in 1999.









Nicknamed 'Jumbo', his last match was against Bermuda, in what was to be India's only victory in this World Cup.

With Indian batsmen doing all the damage, the bowlers had only to perform the last rites, and Kumble contributed with three for 38.

His departure from the Indian ODI scene is another dampener after India's World Cup debacle.

But the good news is Kumble will still be seen in Tests...