The KSCA has honoured Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid and Shantha Rangaswamy by naming stadium stands after them at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium. This is to thank them for everything they have done for Karnataka and Indian cricket. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), led by Venkatesh Prasad, dedicated two stands at the stadium to Kumble and Dravid.
The move recognises their huge role in the success of both Karnataka and India over the years. Kumble is India’s highest wicket-taker in Tests and ODIs, with 953 wickets in 401 international matches. Dravid is India’s second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket after Sachin Tendulkar, scoring 24,064 runs in 504 international matches, including 48 centuries.
Both also served as captains of the Indian team during their careers. Speaking about the honour, Anil Kumble said it is not just about having their names on the stands. He said it represents the hard work of many people who helped build Karnataka cricket and will remain a permanent part of the stadium’s history.
“I don’t think it would be out of turn to state that all our contributions have made Karnataka cricket what it is, just as Karnataka cricket is what has made all of us,” Kumble was quoted as saying in a media release.
“It’s not really about whose name is on which stand. It’s truly special that all the contributions have been recognized and are now permanently etched in the stadium.”
Shantha Rangaswamy Honoured By KSCA
Along with Kumble and Dravid, a stand at Chinnaswamy Stadium will also be named after former India women’s captain Shantha Rangaswamy. This is a special way of recognising her important contribution to Indian cricket.
“It’s really nice that my cricketing colleague Rahul Dravid and Shantha Rangaswamy also being recognized for their massive contributions to Karnataka and Indian cricket. Congratulations to all of you,” Kumble added.
Shantha Rangaswamy was the first Indian woman to score a century in Test cricket and is seen as a trailblazer for women’s cricket in India. She played 16 Test matches and 19 Women’s ODIs between 1976 and 1991, scoring 1,037 runs, with one century and seven half-centuries.
Last October, she was elected president of the Indian Cricketers’ Association (ICA), showing that she continues to play an important role in the sport even today.
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