A gallant and deeply introspective Anil Kumble said that he bowled today in spite of a fractured jaw because he wanted one last chance to prove himself on what has been a terribly disappointing tour for him. "I think as a team we've had a fantastic tour. We started off really well in Trinidad, lost in Barbados. But I think personally it was very disappointing, having come to the West Indies with high hopes and not making it to the team in Trinidad and also in Barbados."

"I got my chance here, I had an opportunity to go and bat higher up in the order. I went for it, tried my best but it didn't work out. Outside India I've never had a chance to bowl to a side when we had 500 runs on the board and I thought this was the best chance for me."

"I knew that I had to go back home because of this injury so I thought I'll give it one last try. At least I'll go back home having thought that I tried my best. If it did work it would be great, but it was pretty tough. I just wanted to try."

As things stand, Kumble will be sent back to Bangalore within the next 48 hours because surgery is unavoidable. "There is a fracture in the lower part of his jaw," explained physio Andrew Leipus. "They are going to put a plate in it to hold it together. The strapping was holding it together, stabilizing the fracture and minimizing the chance of any further injury. He may have bowled today but he's certainly going back in the next 24-48 hours."

Leipus was taken by complete surprise when Kumble declared that he would go out to bowl this afternoon. West Indies were making steady progress towards India's first-innings total of 513 but the pitch was beginning to afford something to the spinners.

"When he saw Sachin Tendulkar turn the ball," said Leipus, "he (Kumble) said the wicket has got some rough in it, and he's going to go out there and do his best. He asked, 'what can we do to get out there?' He asked what are the chances of further damage. We said if we strap the jaw together there would be less pain, and less chance of injury."

"He went through his action a few times in the dressing around, jumped around a bit. He felt okay so he went for it. He was insisting, so we said okay but said, `if it's paining you must come straight off, don't hang around."

"Playing tomorrow will be definitely his decision. If it's not paining and he's up to it we'll strap him up again and let him go out but I'm not going to recommend it. He's got a humongous heart."

Kumble himself said that the pain was bearable, though the effects of local anesthesia began to wear off towards close of play. "While I was bowling there was not much pain, but at the end there was. I was beginning to cramp up maybe because lack of nutrition, maybe the adrenaline was pumping too much -- I don't know," Kumble said.

"I was really nervous first time ever and I felt the nervousness going into the field."

"I'd like to thank the local doctors - two doctors from India actually treated me. The doctors tried to temporarily keep it in position. There was a big crack, so there was a bit of a risk, but I thought the risk was worth it. They said no matter what you do, you won't be making it worse. They are going to cut you open anyway to fix it, so it won't really matter. That kind of confidence egged me on."

Since yesterday Kumble has been on a strict liquid diet and it would remain that way for another two weeks at the least.

The thought of his family would be comforting for Kumble, even though the opportunity to be part of a history-making squad may pass him by. Well, there is consolation. "At least I can go back this evening thinking I've given my best." Nobody would contest that.

Rahul Bhattacharya is a staff writer with Wisden.com in India. His reports will appear here throughout the Test series.

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