Venkatesh Prasad-led Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) honored Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid by naming two stands at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru after the iconic Indian duo. The honor recognizes their immense contributions to Indian cricket and Karnataka cricket.
Kumble remains India’s highest wicket-taker in Tests and ODIs with 953 wickets in 401 international matches. Dravid is the country’s second highest run-scorer in Test cricket after Sachin Tendulkar and has amassed 24,064 runs in 504 international appearances, including 48 centuries. Both the legends also captained the Indian team during their illustrious careers.
Reacting to the honour, Kumble said the recognition reflects the collective efforts that have shaped Karnataka cricket, adding that it goes beyond the names on the stands and symbolizes the contributions permanently inscribed in the stadium’s legacy.
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“I don’t think it would be out of place to state that all our contributions have made Karnataka cricket what it is, just as Karnataka cricket has made us all,” Kumble said in a press release.
“It’s not really about whose name is on which stand. It’s really special that all the contributions have been recognized and are now permanently etched into the stadium.”
SHANTHA RANGASWAMY HON
Apart from Kumble and Dravid, the Chinnaswamy Stadium will also have a stand named after former India women’s captain Shantha Rangaswamy, a significant tribute to her contribution to Indian cricket.
“It’s really nice that my fellow cricketers Rahul Dravid and Shantha Rangaswamy have also been felicitated for their massive contributions to Karnataka and Indian cricket. Congratulations to all of you,” Kumble added.
Rangaswamy was the first Indian woman to score a Test century and remains a pioneer in the growth and development of women’s cricket in the country.
In 16 Tests and 19 Women’s ODIs between 1976 and 1991, Rangaswamy scored 1,037 runs, including one century and seven fifties. She was elected president of the Indian Cricketers’ Association (ICA) last October, further cementing her permanent role in the game.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
February 13, 2026