Anil Kumble

Compared to most spin bowlers his action may be unorthodox, but Anil Kumble’s ability to take wickets at the highest level has never been in question.

Unlike contemporaries such as Shane Warne or Muttiah Muralitharan, who loop the ball through the air and extract incredible turn and bounce, Kumble relies more on his varied pace; spearing the ball down at the batsman as the ball kicks off the wicket and deceives opponents.

He is resilient, untiring and has been a key member of the India side, both in Tests and one-day internationals, since bursting onto the scene in 1990 against Sri Lanka in Sharjah.

In December 2001, on his home turf at Bangalore, Kumble became India's second bowler, and their first spinner, to take 300 Test wickets. A year later he passed the same mark in one-dayers.

His star continued to rise in 2003/04 when, against Australia, he picked up a remarkable 24 wickets in three Test matches, while three months later his 6-71 at Multan helped India win a Test in Pakistan for the first time.

A year later, also versus the Aussies, he pushed the Test mark past 400.

His ability with the bat cannot be ignored either. He possess a highest Test score of 88 and a top first-class total of 154 not out.

He has previously played for both Leicestershire and Northamptonshire in English county cricket and signed a deal to join Surrey in 2006.