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India’s Test series victory in the West Indies was one of the high points of Anil Kumble’s 16-year international career, the leg spinner said on Friday.

Kumble took six second-innings wickets as the touring side won the fourth and final Test in Jamaica by 49 runs to clinch a 1-0 series triumph on Sunday, India’s first in the Caribbean for 35 years.

“It is very satisfying since I have had to wait all this time for this moment,” the 35-year-old told Reuters by phone from Bangalore. “This probably was my last Test series in West Indies so it was extra special,” he remarked.

It was third time lucky for Kumble after two previous tours of the Caribbean. “They weren’t really pleasant memories from my earlier trips,” Kumble said. “So it was important for me to achieve a victory and I am happy to have played a significant role,” he added.

Kumble, Test cricket’s fourth-highest wicket taker with 533 scalps, picked up 19 wickets on the 1996-97 tour of the West Indies as India lost a five-match series 1-0. His second visit in 2002 ended in double anguish. India lost the series 2-1, after leading 1-0, and the spinner had to return a bouncer from paceman Mervyn Dillon in Antigua broke home for surgery after his jaw.

Kumble, who has signed to play for English county side Surrey later this season, said he was pleased to be contributing to India’s successes. “I’m happy to be playing my role whenever I get an opportunity,” he said. “At this point all I can say is I’m feeling fit and strong and enjoying my cricket,” he added.

Source:The News