I wanted to leave after trying my best: Kumble

St. John's (Antigua), May 13: Ace leg spinner Anil Kumble, who stunned all by bowling 14 overs on the trot with a fractured jaw and ended the day in pain, today said he wanted to leave the Caribbean islands after trying his best for India.

"I knew I had to go back home because of this injury. I wanted to go home with the thought I tried my best," Kumble slowly said barely able to open his mouth.

"I was really nervous for the first time in my life going onto the field as there was a bit of risk but I thought it was worth it," said Kumble who picked up the prized wicket of Brian Lara and nearly dismissed Windies skipper Carl Hooper to end with figures of 14-5-29-1.

"Outside India, I never had a chance to bowl when we had scored 500 plus. I thought this was the best chance for me. I had come to the West Indies with high hopes and expectations. But personally it was disappointing for me. I had my chance here. I had an opportunity to go and bat there, high up in the order but it didnt work out," said a disappointed Kumble who returned to the eleven in this Test after being dropped for the second and third Tests.

"For the first couple of overs, it was okay so I continued. If it was really bad, I would have come off.

"There was not much pain when I was bowling. At the end of it though it was paining, I was beginning to cramp up. May be because of lack of nutrition, may be the adrenaline was pumping up too much," said Kumble.

"It was his decision, we never pushed him. We just told him if it was painful, he must come back. He must not hang around," said physio Andrew Leipus.

"When he saw Sachin (Tendulkar) turn the ball, he decided to go in, said Leipus. "He saw that wicket had some turn and he was going to give his best."

"After his jaw was strapped, Anil rehearsed a few times in the dressing room. Then he jumped around a bit and went on to the field," he said.

"The instruction was also clear. Kumble should not open his mouth, even for a leg-before shout," said Leipus, shaking his head in disbelief as the leggie went up appealing quite a few times.

After trapping Lara leg before, Kumble almost sent back Hooper, but the catch taken at forward short leg was off a no-ball. "If we could have got Hooper out, we would have been in a good position but I think we still have a good chance in this game," said Kumble.

Leipus along with Harbhajan Singh positioned along the fine leg boundary where Kumble fielded and gave him liquids between overs. "The effect of pain-killers was wearing off after the day's play and Kumble was beginning to get some pain," the physio said.

Kumble, who was hit on his jaw by a short, lifting delivery from West Indies fast bowler Mervyn Dillon on Saturday, didn't hear anything bad in the first X-ray.

But he spent the night in pain and was taken to hospital again yesterday morning for a second X-ray. It confirmed the worst fears that the jaw was broken from the front of his teeth right down towards the neck.

"The doctors temporarily tried to keep it in position. The tooth was moving and there was a crack.

"Two doctors, who are from India, said no matter what I do, I would not be making it worse. And even if I do, they in any case are going to cut it open," said Kumble.

Kumble was sure he would have to undergo a surgery but he wasn't sure if he would be leaving for home today or tomorrow.

"I have spoken to my dentist and my wife (in Bangalore) and they know about it, Kumble said, confirming he would have the surgery done in Bangalore.

Leipus also said Kumble would be definitely going back home in the next 48 hours.

Meanwhile Kumble's bravery made even the legends search for a parallel at the end of the third day's play.

"Cricket has a way of producing inspiring tale of valour for the country and this ranks at the very top, said Sunil Gavaskar, Test cricket's second highest run maker, who has been associated with international cricket for over 31 years now.

"In the old days they said the boys become men when they tour West Indies. The spirit (of Kumble) is so refreshing and it bodes well for Indian cricket," Gavaskar said.

Gavaskar could only recall the instance of Vijay Manjrekar coming out to bat with his broken arm strapped in an effort to help Chandu Borde get to his hundred in a Test match. "But then as a bowler, it is quite different."

Coach John Wright found it inspiring and said all Indian cricket lovers should be proud of Kumble's courage.

"I remember once Ricky McCosker (Australia) batted with a broken jaw but then being a bowler and going up and down and fielding is quite a different thing," said Wright.

The coach also said he didn't push Kumble to bowl but went along with the leg-spinner's decision. "This is what Test cricket is all about, representing your nation and performing in the face of adversity.

"It shows the commitment of the man for himself, for his mates and for his country.

Captain Sourav Ganguly was amazed at the courage shown by his champion bowler. "I am just amazed. I was surprised to see him walk on to the field. He told me that he wanted to bowl and I said go ahead."

Ganguly said India had a good chance of winning this match provided Kumble is still available. "Anil is crucial for India's plans. Without him it would be difficult, said Ganguly, who preffered off-spinner Harbhajan Singh ahead of Kumble in the last two Tests.

"I just can't believe what Anil bhai has done today," said Harbhajan Singh who considers Kumble as his mentor even as Tendulkar kept shaking his head in disbelief at the end of the days play after Kumble's heroics.

English umpire David Shepherd, his face reddened after the day's exertion, said he had never seen something like this in his entire career. "I just hope he hasn't done himself much harm by coming out and bowling today."

Match referee Ranjan Madugalle said "Kumble's act showed the human side of cricket."