In the annals of cricket history, few events stand out as profoundly as Anil Kumble's monumental achievement in the series between India and Pakistan in 1998-99.
The clash between India and Pakistan is not just a match; it's a spectacle that transcends borders and ignites passion like no other. The 1998-99 series witnessed an electrifying showdown between two cricketing powerhouses.
With cricketing giants like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sourav Ganguly on one side, and formidable players like Saeed Anwar and Shahid Afridi on the other, the stage was set for an epic battle.
Following a heart-wrenching defeat in the first Test in Chennai, India were determined to turn the tables in Delhi. Chasing a daunting target of 420 runs, on the morning of February 7, Pakistan embarked on an improbable quest for victory. The opening partnership of 101 runs between Shahid Afridi and Saeed Anwar raised hopes of a historic chase.
Anil Kumble's entry into the fray sparked a dramatic turn of events. With remarkable precision and guile, Kumble got Afridi to trigger a dismal collapse.
Afridi's dismissal, followed by a flurry of wickets, when Ijaz Ahmed fell lbw, Inzamam played onto his stumps, and close fielders caught Md Yousuf and Moin Khan.
🗓️ #OnThisDay in 1999#TeamIndia spin legend @anilkumble1074 became the first Indian bowler & second overall to scalp all the 🔟 wickets in a Test innings 👏👏
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 7, 2024
Recap all the ten dismissals here 🎥🔽pic.twitter.com/McqiXFjt8S
The intensity of the moment was palpable as the exultant crowd cheered every near miss and erupted at each half-shout. Amidst the delirium, umpire Arani Jayaprakash, a former first-class cricketer himself, officiated the proceedings, ultimately becoming a witness to Kumble's historic feat.
He took 26.3 overs to run through the Pakistan batting lineup for just 74 runs.
Years later, Jayaprakash proudly showcased his business card featuring thumbnail photos of all 10 wickets claimed by Kumble on that unforgettable afternoon, a testament to the significance of the moment in cricketing folklore.
As the match progressed, Pakistan's hopes of victory dwindled in the face of Kumble's relentless onslaught. His fast, flat wrist spin proved to be too much for the Pakistani batsmen to handle, as he occasionally extracted extra bounce from the pitch, targeting the batsmen's front pad or foot with precision.
The defining moment came when Pakistan's captain, Wasim Akram, nudged a catch to short leg, formalizing his team's defeat by a staggering 212-run margin. Kumble's remarkable bowling figures of 10-74 not only secured victory for India but also earned him a place in cricketing history alongside England's Jim Laker, as the only two bowlers to claim every opposition wicket in a single Test innings.
What did Anil Kumble say about his historic feat?
"When I picked up my six wickets, I came back after the tea break - as I had bowled continuously from lunch to tea," he said later to India Today.
"At the break I sat down and thought to myself, here is a chance for me to better my previous best in Test, which was a seven-wicket haul. I went out again and then I took seven, and then eight and nine happened in two deliveries. That is when perhaps when it dawned on me and more on my teammates that I have chance to pick up all 10," Kumble said.
How does Anil Kumble celebrate its anniversary?
"It's one of those things which happen. It's nice to celebrate anniversaries of cricketing milestones but if it happens it happens," he said.
"It can happen tomorrow, or 10 years down the line or it may not happen at all. I don't think anybody gave me a chance of picking up ten wickets. It's a very rare occurrence and I was probably privileged and blessed to be a part of that but it's something unique."
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