Legendary Indian spinner Anil Kumble humorously commented on the honor of having the pavilion end at M Chinnaswamy Stadium named after him. He mentioned that the end wasn’t named after Rahul Dravid because Dravid was often outside the pavilion or rarely seen inside once he walked out with the bat.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) revealed the “Anil Kumble End” and the “Rahul Dravid End” before the IPL 2026 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings. This recognition celebrated the contributions of two of Karnataka and India’s top cricketers.
Kumble shared a lighthearted moment involving Dravid, joking about Dravid spending most of his time outside the pavilion. He also humorously questioned why he was given the pavilion end, speculating it might be because it’s close to the pavilion and doesn’t require a run-up to bowl.
Reflecting on the tribute, Kumble expressed his surprise at having a permanent end named after him at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, calling it a special feeling. He recalled his first visit to the stadium at the age of 9 to watch a Ranji Trophy match between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, describing the experience as surreal.
The ceremony, attended by KSCA officials, including president Venkatesh Prasad, paid homage to two cricket stalwarts whose remarkable careers have made a lasting impact on Indian cricket.
