Top 3 performances of Anil Kumble in ODIs

Anil Kumble, India’s highest wicket-taker in Tests and ODIs, was born on this day, October 17, in 1970, to Krishna Swamy and Saroja in Bengaluru in Karnataka.

Kumble made his ODI debut for India in 1990 against Sri Lanka in Sharjah. Kumble established himself as India’s no. 1 spinner thanks to his brilliant performance in the Hero Cup in 1993 and was the highest wicket-taker in the 1996 Wills World Cup. 

He continued to rule the roost for India in ODI cricket but announced his retirement from the format after an underwhelming performance in the 2007 World Cup. He finished his ODI career with 337 wickets at an economy of 4.30 in 271 ODIs, with best bowling of 6/12.  

Here are the top 3 performances of Anil Kumble in ODIs:

3. 5/33 vs New Zealand, Wellington, 1994

This was the third ODI of the four-match series between India and New Zealand, played in Wellington. India were asked to bat first by New Zealand captain Ken Rutherford and scored 255/5, with Ajay Jadeja, Sachin Tendulkar, and Navjot Singh Sidhu scoring half-centuries.

In response, New Zealand’s Shane Thomson made 60, and Chris Harris and Adam Parore made scores in the 40s, but Kumble ran through the top and middle order. Kumble dismissed Harris, Thomson, Parore, and Dion Nash, ending with his maiden five-wicket haul, 5/33, and India won by 12 runs. Kumble was given the Player of the Match for his fifer. 

2. 4/12 vs Pakistan, Toronto, 1996

India and Pakistan clashed in the third ODI of the five-match Sahara Cup series that was played in Toronto, Canada, in 1996. The series was tied 1-1, and India opted to bat first, scoring 191 runs, with Rahul Dravid top-scoring with 46 and Sunil Joshi making 31, while Wasim Akram took 4/35.

In response, Pakistan was bowled out for 136 runs, with Moin Khan scoring 42 and Saeed Anwar managing 28. Kumble took the wickets of Anwar, Saleem Malik, Azhar Mahmood, and Wasim Akram, finishing with 4/12 as India won the game by 55 runs, taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. 

1. 6/12 vs West Indies, Kolkata, 1993

This was the final of the Hero Cup tournament between India and the West Indies in 1993 at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens. India, asked to bat first, scored 225/7, with Vinod Kambli making 68, Mohammed Azharuddin scoring 38, and Ajay Jadeja making 30 runs.

In response, Brian Lara gave a good start, scoring 33 runs, while Carl Hooper made 23, as Anil Kumble routed West Indies on a spin-friendly track in Kolkata. Kumble dismissed Lara, Hooper, Roland Holder, and Jimmy Adams, finishing with bowling figures of 6/12 in 6.1 overs. India won the final by 102 runs, and Kumble’s 6/12 remains the best bowling figures by an Indian spinner in ODIs.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

For more exclusive updates, visit BJSports to access Exclusive News that is only for you, incisive analysis, and updates, and to keep up with all of the latest information on your favorite remarkable cricket players and teams. To ensure you never miss out, join in on the fun right away!