The Indian cricket board faced huge criticism from fans after it posted a birthday message wishing legendary former India skipper Anil Kumble.

The BCCI's twitter handle wished Kumble a happy birthday describing Kumble as a "former bowler." However, the board deleted the message after irate fans took offence at the spinning great being described simply as a "former bowler".

"Here's wishing former #TeamIndia bowler @anilkumble1074 a very happy birthday," read the BCCI message on its official Twitter account, before the post was deleted.

"Umm bowler? Wasnt he also Captain and Coach and is India's leading Wicket taker?" replied a fan on Twitter. Other fans urged the board to give Kumble his "due respect". The BCCI then tweeted another message calling him "former captain" and "legend", but the damage was done.

The row follows Kumble's acrimonious departure as national coach in June, when he quit saying his relationship with captain Virat Kohli was "untenable". However, former India players and Kumble's temmates wished him with Virender Sehwag leading the way in his own style.