Anil Kumble admits he took a risk bowling with a broken jaw in the fourth Test against the West Indies.

But the Indian spinner insisted he was determined to do all he could for his side before returning home to India for surgery on the injury.

Kumble drew widespread praise for his heroics in returning to the field with his jaw bandaged up in the final session of the third day at St John's.

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He duly captured the prize wicket of Brian Lara as the tourists restricted the West Indies to 187-3 in their reply to India's mammoth 513-9 declared.

"At least I can now go home with the thought that I tried my best," said Kumble, who is due to undergo surgery in Bangaloreon Wednesday.

The 31-year-old spinner, struck on the jaw by West Indies fast bowler Mervyn Dillon on Saturday, was put on a liquid diet after doctors confirmed the fracture on Sunday morning.

But with his jaw strapped into place by a thick bandage, Kumble was given permission to bowl in the final session.

"It was pretty tough, but I just wanted to try," Kumble explained. "I didn't want to sit around.

"I was nervous the first time I went on to the field after the injury, but it was OK for the first couple of overs, so I continued.

"I didn't feel any pain while bowling, but I did at the end of the match.

Kumble became only the second bowler after Jim Laker to take all ten wickets in a Test innnings when he took 10-74 against Pakistan at Delhi in 1999.

But after a disappointing tour of the West Indies, his bravery in trying to salvage something from the trip drew praise from a host of prominent observers.

"Cricket has a way of producing inspiring tales of valour for the country and this ranks at the top," said India's record Test run-scorer Sunil Gavaskar.

"The spirit, which is so refreshing, bodes well for Indian cricket," he said.

West Indies legend Viv Richards endorsed Gavaskar's tribute.

"It was one of the bravest things I've seen on the field of play," he said.