Kumble completes the grand double

Anil Kumble completed 2,000 runs in Test cricket during his innings of 45 on the opening day of fourth Test against the West Indies in Kingston on Friday.

With 526 wickets in his bag, Kumble completed the coveted all-round double of 2,000 runs and 200 wickets, and became only the second Indian, after Kapil Dev, and 14th player in Test history to do so.

Kumble is the slowest, taking 110 Tests to reach the landmark.

South Africa's Jacques Kallis was the previous slowest, needing 102 Tests. However, one must not forget that Kumble is not a genuine batsman. He is in the team as a bowler and any runs he scores are bonus.

The following table lists the players with 2,000 runs and 200 wickets in descending order of wickets taken.

It will be observed that Kumble is only the second player to achieve the all-round double of 2,000 runs and 500 wickets, after Australia's Shane Warne.

This perhaps shows his real value in this Indian team. That he is the oldest (at 35 years 256 days) to accomplish this feat speaks volume of his determination and temperament.