February 7, 1999: Anil Kumble stunned Pakistan with historic 10-wicket haul

Former India captain and coach Anil Kumble had scripted history on February, 7, 1999 with a mesmerising 10-wicket haul against Pakistan in an innings of a Test match at the Ferozeshah Kotla in Delhi. Kumble became only the second bowler in Test cricket history to achieve this feat, following England’s Jim Laker, who had taken 10 for 53 against Australia in 1956.

The Delhi Test was the second match of a two-match series, with India trailing 0-1 after a narrow 12-run defeat in Chennai. Under immense pressure, Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin won the toss and elected to bat first. India managed a total of 252 runs in their first innings, with Wasim Akram leading the Pakistani bowling attack, claiming 4 for 23.

In response, Pakistan struggled against India’s spin duo. Kumble took 4 for 75, while Harbhajan Singh contributed with 3 for 30, restricting the visitors to 172 runs. Shahid Afridi was their top scorer with 32 runs.

India, with a 80-run first-innings lead, put up a strong second-innings total of 339, driven by a determined 96 from Sadagoppan Ramesh and a valuable unbeaten 62 from Sourav Ganguly. Despite Saqlain Mushtaq’s five-wicket haul, Pakistan was set a formidable target of 420 runs.

Pakistan started their chase positively, with openers Afridi and Saeed Anwar stitching together a solid 101-run stand. However, Kumble then took center stage, demolishing the Pakistani batting lineup with astonishing figures of 10 for 74 in 26.3 overs. His spell led India to a commanding 212-run victory, leveling the series and leaving an indelible mark on cricketing history.

Later, in an exclusive with India Today at the India Today Mind Rocks 2015, Anil Kumble revealed what was going through his mind as he approached the landmark.

“When I picked up my six wickets, I came back after the tea break – as I had bowled continuously from lunch to tea. 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 a chance to pick up all 10,” Kumble said.