This was that day in the Cricket’s history, when Anil Kumble, 21 years back, became only the second bowler to claim all 10 wickets in an innings, after England’s Jim Laker.
Remembering Anil Kumble’s 10-wicket innings against Pakistan
In 26.3 overs, Kumble’s 10/74 led India to their major Test victory against Pakistan, an extraordinary 212-run win to level the iconic series 1-1.
Initially, India had lost the first Test in Chennai in a two-match series by a mere 12 runs and were in a must-win situation in the Delhi Test to be held in the year 1999, with the Kargil war that added more sporting drama to the game.
India came out with an exceptional bowling performance in the first innings to bundle out Pakistan for 172 after posting 252 in the first innings. In the second innings, Sadgopan Ramesh (96) and Sourav Ganguly (62*) scored gritty half centuries as India posted a target for 420 for Pakistan.
Indian bowlers bowled outstandingly and gave amazing performance back then and were able to run out Pakistan for 172 after posting 252 in the first innings. After that in second innings, Sadgopan Ramesh (96) and Sourav Ganguly (62*) scored gritty half centuries as India set a target for 420 for Pakistan.
The openers from Pakistan side i.e., Shahid Afridi and Saeed Anwar put on 101 runs for the first wicket chasing for 420 runs. The match then seemed to be in balance until Kumble was introduced into the attack and caused chaos on the Pakistani batting line-up.
He first dismissed Afridi (41) in the 25th over and after that, India didn’t turn back and Kumble was steadily took so many wickets, leading Pakistan to reduced to 128/6 in no time.
At the end, Kumble then finished with exceptional figures of 10/74 from 26.3 overs and helped India register a very popular win by 212 runs, which is still remembered by many.
“A ‘Perfect Ten’ isn’t something you set out to achieve as a cricketer. I would attribute the events of 7th February 1999 to destiny,” Kumble had told the BCCI website in the year 2014.
In the list of highest wicket-takers in Test cricket, Kumble has secured third position, behind Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and Australia’s Shane Warne (708).
