Kumble's mother Saroja passes away

Former India Test team captain Anil Kumble’s mother Saroja Swamy, 73, breathed her last here in the early hours of Monday.

She is survived by two sons -- Anil and his older brother Dinesh Kumble. The final rites were held at Banashankari crematorium later in the day at 11.00 am.

Mother to a celebrity younger son, the septuagenarian occasionally made public appearances although her cheering of Kumble and his friend and State-mate Javagal Srinath during a one-day international against Australia here at the Chinnaswamy stadium in 1996, deeply embedded her in national conciousness.

While defeat looked imminent as India’s chase appeared to have fallen apart completely, Kumble and Srinath slowly but surely guided India to an unlikely two-wicket win much to the excitement of the home crowd. During that enthralling unbeaten partnership, the camera would often pan on Kumble’s mother and his aunt in the stands and the reaction from the two women to each ball pretty much captured the mood in the stadium -- nervousness, excitement and eventually unbridled joy.