February 7, 1999, is a memorable date in Indian cricket history, thanks to Anil Kumble’s astonishing feat. The former India captain and coach made history by taking a spectacular 10-wicket haul against Pakistan in the innings of a Test match at the Ferozeshah Kotla in Delhi.
Kumble’s achievement can be classified as phenomenal because he became only the second bowler in Test cricket to take 10 wickets in an innings after Englander Jim Laker, who achieved it first in 1956 against Australia with figures of 10 for 53.
The 10-wicket haul by Kumble was a true reflection of the man’s skill, endurance, and art of spin bowling. The très tremendous feat reverberated through the world of cricket, inviting both admiration and adulation for him everywhere.
Anil Kumble’s 10-Wicket Masterclass
#OnThisDay in 1999, #TeamIndia spin legend @anilkumble1074 became the first Indian bowler and second overall to scalp all the 10 wickets in a Test innings. 👏👏
Watch that fantastic bowling display 🎥👇 pic.twitter.com/OvanaqP4nU
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 7, 2021
On February 7, 1999, Anil Kumble’s brilliantly performed 10-wicket haul against Pakistan at the Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium in Delhi goes down in the annals of cricketing history. He became the second Test bowler in history to have done so, England’s Jim Laker being the first.
An important Test for India, with a 0-1 deficit in the two-match series, Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin felt the heat upon losing the toss and keenly opted to bat first. India scored 252 runs in the first inning, with Wasim Akram being the star for Pakistan with the ball.
The Pakistan batting order did share some long-standing woes against the Indian spin, and Kumble after his 4 for 75 and Harbhajan Singh with 3 for 30 would have comfortably restrained Pakistan to 172 runs, with Shahid Afridi being the main scorer with 32 runs.
India led by 80 runs in the first innings and then rode on Sadagoppan Ramesh’s scintillating 96 and Sourav Ganguly’s unbeaten 62 to set 339 in the second innings, which meant 420 runs were required by Pakistan.
India’s target looked quite possible at the start, but Kumble took matters into his hands and, with wondrous figures of 10 for 74 in 26.3 overs, completely shredded the Pakistani batting. The match ended with a resounding win for India by 212 runs, leveling the series, while the feat of Kumble becoming a milestone in cricket history. Kumble’s name will always remain etched as one of the greatest in Indian cricket.
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