Anil Kumble

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It was sheer joy recently to see Anil Kumble, the relentless campaigner, cross an Indian's 434-Test wickets record of cricketing great Kapil Dev. Kumble's statistics during the year speak volumes of the man, and silence many a doubting joneses. His overseas record, with 24 wickets in India's creditable 1-1 draw in a four-Test series in Australia and 15 more in the historic 2-1 series victory in Pakistan were no flukes.

He continued his good form when Australia visited India, emerging as the highest wicket-taker with 27 wickets in the 3-1 series loss and then bagged 10 more scalps in the 1-0 win over South Africa. Kumble now has his sight on 500-Test wickets, and even if he does not make it there, the "smiling assassin" has ensured his name in cricketing history.

- Vridul Gahlawat