Tribute to 'gentle giant' Kumble

Indian skipper Anil Kumble announced his retirement after the third Test against Australia, quitting the game at his favourite Ferozshah Kotla ground. "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." Getty Images

"It's truly an honour and privilege to have played in the same era," said Sachin Tendulkar, who has shared the dressing room with Kumble for 18 of the 19 years he has played cricket. "He will remain an inspiration for the next generation. To become another Anil Kumble one will have to work really, really hard," he said. "I have not come across a greater cricketer, who is good so dedicated to his work," he added. Getty Images

Rahul Dravid, who had given up captaincy before Kumble took over, and has played with him for Karnataka, described the leg-spinner as the country's greatest cricketer. "He is an extraordinary man with an extraordinary career. It's been a privilege to play with him," he said. "It was emotional for all of us but it's a great time to celebrate the farewell of one of India's greatest cricketers," he added. Getty Images

'It is a very emotional moment for me because today one of India's greatest cricketer has retired. He is a fantastic cricketer and India will miss him every way. He is a role model for all. Cricket could never get such an extraordinarily committed cricketer like him,' chief selector Krish Srikkanth said. Getty Images

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting was effusive in his praise for the Indian spinner. "He has been a great opponent for Australia and everyone in my team enjoyed the way he played the game. He is one of the modern-day greats of the game, not just for Indian cricket but world cricket," said the Australian, before adding: "I wish he enjoys his time after the game." Getty Images

"Anil bhai has retired now and those will be very, very big shoes to fill. We all know how well he has performed for India and won so many matches. I've always enjoyed bowling alongside Anil Kumble and I will definitely miss him at the other end," Harbhajan said. Getty Images

'I think Shane was an orthodox leg-spinner, who spun the ball quite a bit, while Murali is a genius. Kumble is simply a legend and is dangerous on a helpful pitch,' Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene said in an interview with the BBC Sinhala language radio, Sandeshiya. Getty Images

Former Australian captain Ian Chappell, who has been one of the loudest voices asking for Kumble's ouster as captain, felt it would be hard to replace him. "It will be very difficult for somebody to step into his shoes. He is a cricketer who never compromised his dignity and always played with determination," he said. Getty Images

Kapil Dev described Kumble as a true gentleman. "Anil Kumble is a true fighter, always had this never-say-die attitude and is thoroughly a true gentleman," Kapil said. Getty Images

Former Indian all-rounder Ravi Shastri felt the timing of Kumble's retirement was just perfect, but added that the champion bowler would be missed. "Kumble was a real, out-and-out professional. It is definitely a sad day for Indian cricket. You won't realise the impact of his retirement now but when you won't hear his name after a few days, you will feel the void," he said. Getty Images

Former skipper S Venkataraghavan was also of the view that Kumble timed his retirement to perfection. "Kumble is the greatest spinner India has ever produced. He is such a great sportsman that he is hanging his boots without waiting for the management's call," he said. Getty Images

Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, who picked 242 wickets in 58 Tests, saluted Kumble for an outstanding career. "At the end of the day it's wickets that matter. He is probably India's greatest match-winner. If one can have 900-plus international wickets without turning the ball, so be it.Honestly, I thought this boy had it in him to make it big. It was 1989 when I first saw him and was very impressed with the nip he got off the wicket," he said. (In Pics: Chandrasekhar, Bedi, Prasanna and Venkat)Getty Images

Legendary off-spinner EAS Prasanna described Kumble as one of the finest spinners that India produced. "He is a thorough gentleman, very strong minded, man of integrity and one not to be influenced by external forces," Prasanna said. "I think he pre-poned his decision in view of his injury problem," the 68-year-old spinner said. Getty Images

Legendary Indian spinner Bishan Singh Bedi also felt that Kumble timed his retirement well and said the whole of country would be proud of his contribution to the game. "I think the writing was in the wall. I could feel it was coming. It think he could have played the Nagpur Test but injury might have expedited his decision. (In Pics: Jason Krejza; Bishen Bedi) Getty Images

Former Australian captain Allan Border said the Kumble's decision has come as a shock to him and described it as a sad day for Indian cricket. "He is a fantastic a cricketer and a human being who played his game in the right spirit throughout his career. It is a sad day for Indian cricket. It actually came as a shock to us. We will have to wait and watch, how India copes up without Kumble," he said. (In Pics: Allan Border with Sunil Gavaskar) Getty Images

Ex-India stumper Syed Kirmani said Kumble has been an exceptional servant of the game. "He has made his debut under me in the state. He has been a dedicated, sincere, honest, disciplined and good thinking and a great champion cricketer and on the basis on these I can say that I have literally seen him grow and establish himself as a icon and a legendary cricketer both on the field and off it," he said. Getty Images