Kumble announces retirement

By N.Ananthanarayanan

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India skipper Anil Kumble announced his retirement after the third test against Australia on Sunday, quitting the game at his favourite Ferozshah Kotla ground.

The 38-year-old is test cricket's third-highest test wicket-taker with 619 wickets, trailing only Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and Australia's retired Shane Warne.

"It was a very tough decision, especially when you have performed for 18 years and been so competitive," he said at the presentation ceremony after the match had ended in a draw.

"But the body helped me make the decision. This injury also helped."

Kumble had suffered a deep cut in his left little finger which needed 11 stitches during the match.

"I had already decided to leave after this series, but decided last night once I realised I won't be 100 percent for Nagpur (fourth test)."

The spin bowler has been the team's bowling lynchpin for almost two decades, and the architect of India's dominance on slow home pitches, relying more on subtle variations than sharp turn.

Kumble took up the captaincy last year after Rahul Dravid abruptly quit the job.