Former India captain Anil Kumble became only the second bowler in Test cricket history to take 10 wickets in a Test inning, when he bowled India to victory single-handedly in Delhi in 1999, on this day on February 7.
Before him, only England’s off-spinner Jim Laker had taken all ten wickets (10/53) in an innings, a feat he achieved against Australia at Old Trafford in 1956. In fact, Laker had picked 9 wickets (9/37) in the first innings as well and ended the match with a haul of 19/90 in the match. Hence, Laker holds the record for the best bowling figures in an innings and in a Test both.
Meanwhile, Kumble’s feat came in a must-win match against Pakistan on their historic tour of India. Pakistan had beaten India in the first Test in Chennai by 13 runs, despite Sachin Tendulkar’s century. The home team needed to win the second Test in Delhi to avoid a series loss to their rivals.
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Pakistan was set 420 to win in the fourth innings and Shahid Afridi and Saeed Anwar had added 101 runs for the first wicket when Kumble removed Afridi LBW and then the wickets started to fall. Despite Pakistan captain Wasim Akram’s 66-ball 37, Kumble managed to get all 10 wickets, taking the scalp of Akram for the record.
BCCI shared a video commemorating the 22nd anniversary of Kumble’s achievement and VVS Laxman, who played in that Test and took Akram’s catch at short-leg, to give Kumble his 10 wickets tweeted, “One of the most memorable days in my career. What a dream spell from the champion to demolish a good Pakistan lineup. @anilkumble1074 left everyone of us spellbound. #legend”
To this Kumble thanked Laxman for the praise and the catch which got him the record.
