Former India captain Anil Kumble on Tuesday pulled out of the cash-rich Indian Premier League citing business commitments. The decision comes barely three days before the players' auction.
Kumble, who had already quit Test and One-day cricket, said he was withdrawing from the January 8-9 auction because of business commitments, his association with cricket administration and wildlife in various capacities.
It effectively means Kumble is now retiring from all forms of cricket after playing at the top level for two decades.
"I wish to withdraw from the players auction for IPL IV scheduled for the 8th and 9th of January 2011 in Bangalore," said the legendary leg-spinner in a statement.
"I have enjoyed my stint at the IPL so far and thank all concerned for the support extended," added Kumble, who was elected Karnataka State Cricket Association president in November.
Kumble's pulling out of the players' auction, however, came as a surprise, as he recently increased his base price from $2,00,000 to 4,00,000.
He was among the 22 players with the highest reserve price of $400,000 for the auction, to be held in Bangalore.
Kumble, who captained Royal Challengers Bangalore in two IPL seasons -- in 2009 and 2010, was not retained by RCB for this season. Only Delhi batsman Virat Kohli was retained by the Bangalore team.
Kumble, who made his international debut in 1990, retired in 2008, and remains India's leading wicket-taker in Tests (619) and one-dayers (337).
The former Indian skipper was largely responsible for RCB's turnaround in the IPL. After being named captain for the 2009 season, he led his team to the final of the Twenty20 league.
A year later, the leg-spinner inspired RCB to a third-place finish. Consequently, the team qualified for the Champions League T20 tournament twice under his leadership.
Kumble took 45 wickets in the three editions of the IPL, proving?his worth even in the shortest version of the game.
He was among the most effective bowlers in the previous two seasons, taking 17 wickets, with an economy of 6.42 in 2010, and 21, with an economy of 5.86 in 2009.
