Bangalore: They might have been rivals during their international career but Australian legendary spinner Shane Warne today revealed his admiration for Anil Kumble, describing him as a throrough gentleman.
Sharing the dias at the launch of Kumble`s Coffee table book "Wide Angle", Warne spoke at length about the lanky leg-spinner`s dedication and determination.
"What Anil has achieved and what he has delivered to his fans has been fantastic. Playing against Anil, fortunately or unfortunately, I have found him to be a thorough gentleman, a humble guy," said Warne.
"He was told that he cannot spin the ball. They said he cannot bowl leg spin. But he has shown over 20 years what he can do by doing it.”
"The one stand out thing about Anil for me is that he has a big heart. He is a giver, a hundred per cent team man, a man with a real big heart. Committed hundred per cent, he has always held his head high with his performances," said the Rajasthan Royals skipper.
"For all the youngsters and many more, Anil is the role model, the way he conducts himself on and off the field. It is not just talent, but passion and love for the game that has seen Anil play the game for 20 years and that proves he has a big heart," said Warne.
Kumble also showered praise on the Australian legend and said he wished he could spin the ball like him.
"I wish I could bowl and spin the ball like him. I would secretly watch how he went about setting up the batsmen for taking a wicket," said Kumble.
Talking about his passion for photography, Kumble said: "I have always been fascinated by photographs. I don`t have the patience to deal with novels but love pictures. I remember my first trip to Jammu and Kashmir as a state U-17 player. My brother Dinesh put a small aim and shoot camera in my bag and the bug bit me then and has stayed with me," said Kumble.
The former Indian captain revealed the reason behind compiling the book.
"Cricket for me is a passion and as a cricketer I felt that (as do many players) many of the good that we do are not published and what we don`t do does get into print. So I decided to compile the rare happenings of my twenty years journey as a cricketer and that is Wide Angle."
"It came easy for me as I always kept pictures in my cricket `coffin` box and I asked my brother to pick and choose from the pictures," said Kumble, hoping the book is received well by cricket fans.
"I wanted to bring to front the things that happen behind the scenes, celebrations of performances, victories, achievements and birthdays where cake would be smeared on the face. Photography has been a stress buster for me and I have always sought to capture sights and sounds," he added.
PTI