Kumble hangs up his boots, withdraws from IPL auction

MUMBAI - Legendary leg spinner and former India Test captain Anil Kumble has withdrawn from the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction in Bangalore later this week, it announced here Tuesday.

Kumble, who turned around the fortunes of IPL team Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), “cited business commitments, including his association with cricket and wildlife in various capacities, as reasons for the withdrawal,” Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary N. Srinivasan said in a statement.

“I wish to withdraw from the players auction for IPL 4 scheduled for Jan 8-9 in Bangalore,” the statement quoting Kumble, recently elected president of the Karnataka State Cricket Association, said.

“I have enjoyed my stint at the IPL so far and thank all concerned for the support extended,” Kumble, a wildlife photographer and deputy chairman of the Karnataka wildlife board of the state government, said.

In the statement, Srinivasan noted: “The former Indian skipper was largely responsible for RCB’s turn around in the IPL. After being named captain in IPL 2009 season, Kumble led his team to the final of the Twenty20 extravaganza.”

“A year later, Kumble inspired his team to third position in the 2010 edition. Consequently, the team qualified for the Airtel Champions League Twenty20 tournament twice under his able leadership. Kumble also took 45 wickets in the three editions of IPL to reaffirm his dominance even in the shortest version of the game,” the statement said.