The gentle giant calls it a day

The gentle giant of Mumbai cricket has decided to call it a day. Abey Kuruvilla walked up to the press box at the Wankhede stadium on Saturday and spoke softly and courteously to the group of reporters gathered there. "I've decided to call it a day. I'm 31, will be 32 in August and I think I should give the youngsters a chance. If I stay back I'll be holding up a place. It's better to give youngsters a chance." This news did not come as a shock. Earlier, word had got around that Kuruvilla might announce his retirement during the course of the final.

Kuruvilla also said that he had made the decision at the beginning of the season and it was especially nice to go out on a winning note. He did not even regret the fact that he narrowly fell short of the 200 wicket mark in the Ranji Trophy. When asked the tricky question of whether he regretted having played for India for just one year, he said "No, I can't say I have any regrets. At least I played for a year. There are so many good cricketers who don't get to play even one game for India. I can't complain on that count."

Kuruvilla made his debut in the Ranji Trophy final in 1990-91 against Haryana and he ends his career as a Ranji champion in 2000. Kuruvilla also made it clear that he would continue playing for his company, Orient Shipping. There were passing references made to the fact that former players could if they so desired go to one of the 'developing' cricket countries like Canada and have another shot at the game. Kuruvilla laughed it away and said he would not be playing any first class cricket whatsoever. He did say that he would remain in touch with the game though as a coach. He has completed Level 1 training and will be going to England some time in the future to do more advanced courses.

Just as Kuruvilla looked like he might have finished with the press conference, the inevitable question popped up. "Your critics say that your fielding was never up to the mark..." To this his response was simple, honest and cut to the centre of why this lion hearted bowler is so popular. "Perhaps they are right. Maybe I always was a bad fielder."

There's no bitterness. No serious regrets. Nothing but level headedness at the end of what has been a spirited career with Mumbai and India. Kuruvilla will be remembered both for his dramatic entrance into cricket and his graceful exit.