Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble at a celebration at the team hotel in Chandigarh on Saturday. (Reuters)

Chandigarh: Cometh the hour and cometh the man. Very few players in international cricket can fit into this phrase better than Anil Kumble, who became the fifth bowler to get 500 Test wickets.

Soon after Day III action got over, there were wild celebrations. Toasts were raised and there was the customary cake-cutting in the long room of the PCA Stadium, greeted him on Saturday. Then the cake was splattered all over his face by Yuvraj Singh, Irfan Pathan and Harbhajan Singh. It was time to go to the washroom before making his way to the conference hall.

The following are excerpts

On reaching the milestone of 500 wickets

It’s a great feeling? What makes it more special is the fact that only four other bowlers have got to the 500-mark and I am the first Indian to achieve it.

On what kept him going in these 16 years

I’d say I’ve persevered. When I began, people questioned my kind of bowling? People do so even now? I guess after 16 years, that still hasn’t been answered and I find it strange. I’ve just gone into every game thinking I need to perform and contribute to the team’s cause.

On to whom he dedicates this milestone

I dedicate this to all those players who have played with me. To the fielders who took the catches, the fellow bowlers who applied pressure from the other end, to batsmen who put runs on the board making my effort that bit easier ... I would not have got 500 wickets if they had not played their part.

On what has been the secret of his success

I’ve always had the self-belief that I can perform at this level. There have been doubts created by other people over my ability to perform. When you play for 16 years such doubts are bound to happen. But I have never doubted my abilities. Nor have my teammates and my family. My wife’s (Chetna) support has always been with me? Coming back from my shoulder injury (in 2000-01) was crucial.

On his next target

Already the tally is 501. How many more wickets I’ll get depends on my body and the schedule? I can’t really comment. Warne has 659, Murali just got to 600 yesterday, hopefully I’ll also scale those heights some day.

On the memorable wickets

The first wicket of Allan Lamb, which was where it all started... The 10-wicket haul against Pakistan in Delhi was special. Also the win against Australia in Adelaide in early 2005 ... The series win in Pakistan in 2004 will also remain etched in memory.

On setting up batsmen

When I bowl I believe every ball can get a wicket. I always go in with that kind of attitude. Obviously you try and set up a batsman, get him to play a few shots. Some days it works, some days it doesn’t.

On how he still continues to strive to improve

You need to constantly evolve and bring up some variations because these days even before you step out, the opposition knows everything about you. I still try to bowl the classical leg-break, the classical flipper and the classical googly. The day I think I’ve had enough of trying out these new things, I won’t be playing anymore.

On missing out on a hattrick on Saturday

You can’t think about all this? I guess I could have bowled the same ball as the previous two? You can’t ask for too many things. I’m happy I managed to wrap up the tail quickly.

On his worst fears

There were fears that I may not bowl again after the shoulder injury and when I had the surgery. It took two months to just lift my hand. That’s when my wife, Andrew Leipus, Omkar (yoga expert in Bangalore) and Ramakant (Karnataka team physio) constantly motivated and helped me in my rehabilitation. Also the thought that one day when I bowl there would be no pain was enough motivation. Srinath’s comeback after a similar surgery also gave me lot of strength.

On how he seems to be bowling at his best in the recent past

The last couple of years have been good. The experience that I’ve gained over the years and the way the ball is coming out of the hand has been good. The number of overs I have bowled over the last 16 years have helped me understand what needs to be done.

On if he would like to play the 2007 World Cup

There’s still a long way to go. To win this Test match is important? Then there’s the next one coming up in Mumbai. It is entirely up to the team management. We have been doing well in the one-dayers? Won against Sri Lanka, drew level versus South Africa and recently beat Pakistan. It all depends on what the team management wants and what their plans are.

On what Matthew Hoggard, his 300th victim, had to say when Harmison departed

He suggested that I might have been more happy if I’d picked up the wicket of a batsman as my 500th victim.