Hello kids! Today, we are going to talk about a great cricketer from our very own Karnataka—Anil Kumble! Have you ever played cricket with your friends? It’s such a fun game, isn’t it? Well, Anil Kumble wasn’t just any cricketer—he was one of the best bowlers India has ever seen! Let’s learn more about him.
Who is Anil Kumble?
Anil Kumble was born on October 17, 1970, in Bengaluru. Like many of you, he started playing cricket on the streets with his friends. Soon, he joined a cricket club called Young Cricketers and started playing seriously. He didn’t just love cricket; he was also very smart in studies and became a mechanical engineer!
Anil Kumble’s Cricket Journey
Kumble played his first Test match in 1990 against England. He bowled for 43 overs and took 3 wickets, which was just the beginning of his amazing career. Over time, he became one of the best bowlers in the world, taking 619 wickets in Test cricket! That’s the third highest in the history of Test cricket!
One of his most unforgettable achievements came in 1999, when he took all 10 wickets in a single innings against Pakistan! Can you imagine? He became only the second bowler in the history of cricket to do this!
Honours and Achievements
For his incredible contribution to Indian cricket, Anil Kumble was awarded:
Arjuna Award – For excellence in sports
Padma Shri – One of India’s highest civilian awards
The Government of Karnataka even named a famous roundabout in Bengaluru after him—Anil Kumble Circle!
He also became the captain of the Indian Test team before retiring from cricket. Today, he lives in Bengaluru with his wife, Chetana, and their three children.
Why is He Called ‘Jumbo’?
Kumble was nicknamed ‘Jumbo’ by his teammates. Do you know why? Because of his tall height and the way he bowled super fast like an elephant!
FAQs
Where did Anil Kumble start playing cricket?
He started playing cricket on the streets of Basavanagudi in Bengaluru.
What record did he set in 1999?
He took all 10 wickets in a single innings against Pakistan, becoming only the second bowler in history to do so!
What awards has he received?
He has received the Arjuna Award and the Padma Shri.
Where does he live now?
He lives in Bengaluru with his family.
Why is he called ‘Jumbo’?
Because of his height and his fast bowling style, which was as strong as an elephant’s power!
Take assessment:
1. Oral Questions (Simple Recall)
These questions encourage children to recall facts from the lesson.
- Where was Anil Kumble born?
- Which club did Anil Kumble join as a young player?
- What is Anil Kumble’s special record in Test cricket?
- How many wickets did he take in his career?
- What awards has the Indian government given him?
2. Fill in the Blanks
(Tests recall and sentence completion skills.)
- Anil Kumble was born in _________ (city).
- He started playing cricket in the streets of _________.
- Anil Kumble took _________ wickets in Test cricket.
- The Government of Karnataka named a _________ after him in Bengaluru.
- He is nicknamed _________ because of his bowling style.
3. True or False
(Checks understanding and corrects misconceptions.)
- Anil Kumble was born in Chennai. (False – He was born in Bengaluru.)
- He took all 10 wickets in an innings against Australia. (False – It was against Pakistan
- Anil Kumble is a mechanical engineer. (True)
- The Arjuna Award is given for achievements in sports. (True)
- Anil Kumble was a wicketkeeper. (False – He was a bowler.)
4. Match the Following
(Tests association skills.)
| Column A | Column B |
| Anil Kumble’s birthplace | Bengaluru |
| His nickname | Jumbo |
| Number of wickets in a Test match innings | 10 |
| Year he set his special record | 1999 |
| Award given to him | Padma Shri |
5. Who Said This?
(Identifies key details from the lesson.)
- I am a great bowler from Karnataka!” (Anil Kumble)
- I have given Anil Kumble the Padma Shri award.” (Government of India)
- I am the cricket club that Anil Kumble joined when he was young. (Young Cricketers club)
- I am the game where Anil Kumble made history.(Cricket)
6. Short Answer Questions
(Encourages kids to write simple sentences.)
- Where did Anil Kumble first start playing cricket?
- What is the Anil Kumble Circle?
- Why is Anil Kumble called “Jumbo”?
- What is a Test match?
- What did Anil Kumble study apart from cricket?
7. Long Answer Questions
(Tests comprehension and expressive skills.)
- Describe Anil Kumble’s journey from playing on the streets to becoming a famous cricketer.
- Why do you think Anil Kumble is an inspiration for young cricketers?
- Explain Anil Kumble’s biggest cricket achievement in 1999.
8. Picture-Based Questions
(Good for visual learners.)
- Show a picture of Anil Kumble bowling and ask:
- What is he doing in this picture?
- Which sport is he playing?
- Show a picture of a cricket ground and ask:
- What game is played here?
- Name any two famous cricketers.
9. Rearrange the Sentences
(Tests logical thinking and sequence understanding.)
Rearrange the sentences in the correct order:
- Anil Kumble took 619 wickets in Test cricket.
- He started playing cricket in the streets of Bengaluru.
- He joined the Young Cricketers club.
- In 1999, he took 10 wickets in a single innings.
- He was awarded the Padma Shri.
10. Crossword Puzzle / Word Search
(Words from the lesson can be hidden in a word search or crossword.)
Possible words: Cricket, Jumbo, Bengaluru, Wickets, Captain, Test match, Padma Shri, Bowler
11. Think and Answer (Application-Based Questions)
(Encourages reasoning and creative thinking.)
- If you were a cricket captain, what qualities would you learn from Anil Kumble?
- Why do you think sports players need to practice every day?
- If Anil Kumble was your cricket coach, what would you ask him?