“More Destiny Than Planning”: Anil Kumble On His Perfect 10 Against Pakistan

Anil Kumble remains the one and only Indian bowler to take all 10 wickets in Test innings. He achieved this feat way back in February 1999. He congratulated Ajaz Patel who became the third bowler in Test cricket to take all 10 wickets against India in the second Test in Mumbai.

Looking back on his 10-wicket haul against Pakistan, Anil Kumble said that it was written in his destiny that he would have an incredible record like that to his name.

Welcome to the club #AjazPatel #Perfect10 Well bowled! A special effort to achieve it on Day1 & 2 of a test match. #INDvzNZ

— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) December 4, 2021

This Is Not Something You Can Plan: Anil Kumble

“This is not something that you can plan for as a bowler. Of course, you plan for every batsman, but you never go out thinking you are going to take all ten wickets. It’s just destiny, one of those things that happen on the cricket field,” he said. “It takes a lot of hard work, yes, but so many other things also need to fall in place. As well as one might bowl, all the catches need to go to hand, the fielders need to take those catches. That’s what happened with Ajaz today, as it happened with me,” Kumble added.

Kumble further spoke about remembering the moment when he picked the 10th wicket against Pakistan. The arch-rivals were 101 for no loss chasing 420 to win. They were well placed to win the Test match when Kumble had other intentions on his mind.

“My first emotion when the tenth wicket fell against Pakistan was delight that we had defeated Pakistan. That was the most important thing, that we won the Test and squared the series, especially after how the first Test had gone. It was the fourth innings of the match and we were able to celebrate both the moment and the victory on the field, that made it quite special for me” said Kumble.

But with India gaining the upper hand on Day 2, Kumble pointed out, “Ajaz finds himself in a different place now. His 10-for came away from home, in the first innings of the Test, but New Zealand are not too well placed. However, that doesn’t take anything away from a truly memorable achievement, I am very happy for him.”

Kumble further said that his life changed after he got the 10-wicket haul with people having high expectations from him. He further said that the same does not happen with Ajaz Patel.

Hope Pressure Is Not Mounted On Ajaz Patel

“My life changed. Everybody started expecting a 10-for after I got 10. Maybe and hopefully for Ajaz, those kinds of expectations won’t happen in New Zealand but it’s wonderful that he achieved it and I am sure his life would change in terms of how the Perfect Ten man is what he will be known for. What a great thing to do in your birth place, in Mumbai, to get all ten,” he said. “Interestingly, three of my teammates who were on the ground when I got ten were at the Wankhede today as well – Rahul, Sri and Joshi!,” signed off Kumble.