Former India captain and ace leg-spinner Anil Kumble witnessed history in making as New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel joined an elusive and elite list of bowlers by picking up all 10 wickets in India’s first innings in the ongoing second Test in Mumbai.
Ajaz Patel joined Jim Laker (vs Australia in 1956) and Kumble himself (vs Pakistan in 1999) in the 10-wicket club and the legendary leggie welcomed the Kiwi left-arm spinner to the club with a welcome message on Twitter.
Kumble’s 10 wickets against Pakistan is part of Indian cricket folklore as it helped India square off the two-Test series in 1999, after losing a close encounter in Chennai despite Sachin Tendulkar’s brilliant ton.
On a nippy winter morning in Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium (then Ferozshah Kotla) on February 7, 1999, Kumble ran through the Wasim Akram-led Pakistan side as they tried to chase a target of 420 runs.
IND v NZ 2021: WATCH - All 10 wickets of Ajaz Patel's historic 10-wicket haul
Talking about the same, Kumble said, “This is not something that you can plan for as a bowler. Of course, you plan for every batsman, but you never go out thinking you are going to take all ten wickets. It's just destiny, one of those things that happen on the cricket field.
It takes a lot of hard work, yes, but so many other things also need to fall in place. As well as one might bowl, all the catches need to go to hand, the fielders need to take those catches. That's what happened with Ajaz today, as it happened with me.”
On his emotions when he reached the landmark, the 51-year-old recounted, "My first emotion when the tenth wicket fell against Pakistan was a delight that we had defeated Pakistan. That was the most important thing, that we won the Test and squared the series, especially after how the first Test had gone. It was the fourth innings of the match and we were able to celebrate both the moment and the victory on the field that made it quite special for me."
Ajaz Patel became the first left-arm bowler, first left-arm spinner, and first bowler to take all ten wickets in the first innings of a Test match. Both Laker and Kumble achieved their feats in the second innings of the opposition.
IND v NZ 2021: The stars have aligned for me to pick all 10 wickets in Mumbai, says Ajaz Patel
Anil Kumble said he was especially happy for Ajaz Patel, as he is also the first bowler to take a 10-fer away from home. Ajaz is also the only bowler to take a 10-fer in his place of birth.
"Ajaz finds himself in a different place now. His 10-for came away from home, in the first innings of the Test, but New Zealand is not too well placed. However, that doesn't take anything away from a truly memorable achievement, I am very happy for him,” Kumble said.
On all the three 10-wicket club members being spinners, Kumble opined, "Obviously, one of the things is that you must bowl for long periods. I know all three members of the Perfect Ten club are spinners perhaps that has something to do with it. A fast bowler might get four or five wickets in a clutch, but not many pacers can bowl 15 or 20-over spells like spinners. On the flip side, you can only get ten wickets in an innings if you start with an opener's wicket. India was 80 when Ajaz took the first wicket."
Kumble also added that his life changed after taking those 10 wickets against Pakistan in Delhi in 1999.
He said, "My life changed. Everybody started expecting a 10-for after I got 10. Maybe and hopefully for Ajaz, those kinds of expectations won't happen in New Zealand but it's wonderful that he achieved it and I am sure his life would change in terms of how the Perfect Ten man is what he will be known for. What a great thing to do in your birth place, in Mumbai, to get all ten."
"Interestingly, three of my teammates who were on the ground when I got ten were at the Wankhede today as well - Rahul, Sri, and Joshi!," signed off Kumble.
(Times of India inputs)
