In a packed press conference at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore Brijesh Patel, the secretary of the Karnataka State Cricket Association and long-time associate of Anil Kumble, set the ball rolling. "In the last few years, he has not been in the team all time and that is what I think has hurt him." Kumble followed this up with a short statement before fielding a variety of questions from the media. Excerpts:

Anil Kumble: bid farewell to ODIs © Getty Images

On when he made up his mind to retire from ODIs

I had thought about this four years ago, of giving up one-day cricket. Through the early part of my career I was fortunate that I got to play each time I was picked. It became a habit. That was something I always wanted. I wanted the ball in my hand. That was something that didn't happen in the last World Cup in 2003, but we did have a good World Cup. Things didn't go my way and I was a bit hurt not being a part of the eleven but I took it in my stride. It sometimes feels a bit different to be in the team and not go out there to play. This World Cup I thought we had a great chance as a team.

On his cherished memories

The first one-day series I played ... the first time I received a Man of the Match award from Geoffrey Boycott in Headingley, the final of the Hero Cup, my batting performance with Srinath in Bangalore, the Pakistan quarter-final in Bangalore, the atmosphere and the pressure, I've not felt the atmosphere and intensity, the adrenaline pumping playing Pakistan in a World Cup match. I had not felt it before and have not felt it since.

On his most memorable wicket

The first wicket is obviously the most cherished, it started off the process. Along the way, you come across a number of good batsmen - the one-day game is such that a good ball may be hit for six and a rank full-toss may be hit straight to the fielder. One-dayers is a batsman's game and it's tough for bowlers to survive. It's a lot more challenging now. I've cherished all the challenges I've come across.

On the difficult batsmen he has bowled to

The focus of ODIs is to restrict the runs. Difficult to pin-point one player. Over a period of time it was difficult against some players - Jayasuriya, Aravinda de Silva, Adam Gilchrist, Hayden, Ponting, Lara, Kallis ... it's a long list. It's difficult to pin-point one particular batsman.

On losing out a place as a first-choice spinner

I think every member deserves his place. I guess it's just a part of the game. It's difficult also - I can understand the captain, coach and team-management's predicament. Probably this decision of mine will be easier on the team management. If they've decided they're going to play three seamers and one spinner, it's never easy to leave out one performer.

On whether he has plans for a book

I think it's something I will do at some point of time - pen down my cherished memories. I would like to pass on my way of looking at the game to the youngsters. Experiences, moments, photographs...

On how long he intends to continue in Tests

I need to be there as long as I'm performing. Until the time when I feel I can go out and give the best for my country. I think I've played long enough and I would like to think I can go out at the right moment.

On not captaining India

I have led India in a one-day international and I enjoyed that. I'm proud of that, the fact that I got an opportunity. But that's something that was not in my hand. I liked the responsibility and I probably would have taken that but the way Rahul has to go through now ... it's a hard job. He's made the scapegoat for all the defeats but my full support is with Rahul. I think he has done a fantastic job. It's unfortunate that the team lost. But if I had the opportunity, I would have relished the responsibility.

On how injuries affected his career

Last four years, I had to look at the long term. There were a few periods where I had to take time off from ODIs - but that was only a couple of occasions. In Pakistan when we won the Tests, I missed the ODIs. Recently in Pakistan and Champions Trophy. But other than these, I've always been available. My shoulder has been strong.

On if he wants to sign off with a series win in Australia

Winning a series in Australia will be nice. But it's hard at this point of time to say I'm going to play two years etc. I'm just going out there to enjoy my cricket. If we can achieve that goal in Aus, it will be nice.

On the dearth of spinners in India's domestic circuit

I don't think that's the case. Harbhajan is still young, he's only 26 and has already done so well. Then there are Ramesh Powar, Murali Kartik, Piyush Chawla. A few young spinners are also doing well. I think spin will have a big role to play in one-day games in the fiture, especially with Twenty20 cricket getting more popular.

On the World Cup disappointment

In terms of preparation we had done well. We beat Holland and West Indies convincingly in the warm-up matches - scored more than 300 in one and got them out for 80 odd in the other. So it was just a bad day we had against Bangladesh. Also the format of the tournament was such that it was tough for us to come back. Also, the pressure might have made a difference. The players are more disappointed and hurt ... people think it doesn't matter but people have got it wrong. As players we sacrifice our lives, families ... to ensure we come back victorious. It is disappointing if we don't get the right results. We are answerable to a whole lot of people who support us but at the end of the day we're also answerable to each other. We're very disappointed.

On his last ball in ODIs, where he got a wicket off a flipper

That probably epitomises the way I bowl in ODI cricket, wicket to wicket. It was probably a wicket which even the umpires are looking for closely ... if it happens they're ready.