OTD: Anil Kumble became the second player after Jim Laker to take all 10 wickets in a Test innings against Pakistan in 1999

Anil Kumble is regarded as one of the greatest match-winners for India. The tall and tricky leg-spinner is the highest wicket-taker for India in Test cricket. However, his legacy is not just defined by the number of wickets that he took but rather the way he played the game. This day marks a historic milestone in his long career as he became only the second player, on this day, after Jim Laker to take all 10 wickets in a Test innings, against Pakistan in 1999. 

Arch-rivals awestruck

After almost a decade India and Pakistan played a Test series in 1999. Pakistan stunned the hosts in the first Test at Chennai to take a valuable lead in the series. The second Test of the series was at Delhi and India had to make a comeback to stay alive in the series. The Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin decided to bat first after winning the toss at the Feroz Shah Kotla. Multiple Indian batters got off to a good start but none of them could make it big. Azharuddin and Sadagoppan Ramesh scored half-centuries which propelled the first innings beyond the 250-run mark for India. 

The Indian bowlers compensated for an underwhelming batting display as they wrapped up Pakistan’s first innings for 172 runs. Anil Kumble was the pick of the bowlers for India with 4 wickets to his name. 

‘Historic’…is the word

The crowd at Feroz Shah Kotla witnessed history in the second innings. India extended their lead in the second innings with a much-improved batting display. The home side ended up with 339 runs and posted a massive target of 420 runs for Pakistan to chase. 

However, there was no match between the two sides in the second innings. Anil Kumble demolished the opposition with his bowling masterclass. He cleaned up the whole opposition single-handedly and registered his name in the history books. Taking 10 wickets in an innings is a miracle that does not happen every other day. This performance was the mirror reflection of what the ‘Jumbo’ of the Indian team could do when he operated at his best.