On February 7 in 1999, former Indian spinner and the current national team coach Anil Kumble made history. He became the first Indian bowler to capture 10 wickets in a single innings in a Test match against Pakistan at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi. Kumble became only the second bowler in Test cricket after Jim Laker to grab ten wickets.
India were facing Pakistan in a two-match Test series and India needed to win at Delhi to tie the series. A strong show by the Indian batsmen saw them set a target of 420 for Pakistan who needed just a draw to win the series. However, a fiery spell by Kumble saw them being bowled out for 207. It was India’s first win against Pakistan in 19 years as well.
Pakistan were cruising at 101/0, however, with Kumble being brought into the attack, they collapsed to 128/6. Kumble’s first victim was Shahid Afridi followed by Ijaz Ahmed and Inzamam-ul-Haq. Saeed Anwar too fell for 69, the top score by a Pakistani batsman in that innings. Captain Wasim Akram tried his best to withstand Kumble’s attack and played a patient knock of 43. However, in the end, Kumble bowled a splendid delivery that Akram edged to VVS Laxman, who took the catch and history was made. India won the match by 212 runs with Kumble bagging all ten wickets in front of a packed crowd.
'Perfect Ten' was destiny: @anilkumble1074... Former #TeamIndia captain reminisces his 10-wicket haul vs. Pakistan https://t.co/GszgfYIoH8 pic.twitter.com/ft2HAwohbX
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 7, 2017
26.3-9-74-10 - #OnThisDay in 1999, @anilkumble1074 took all 10 wickets in an innings to help India beat Pakistan in Delhi pic.twitter.com/lXtDIpKbsK
— ICC (@ICC) February 7, 2017
#OnthisDay 1999 @sachin_rt how good was tht whn jersey no.10 watching tht jambo takes all the wkts in 1test innings 74/10 @anilkumble1074 👏 pic.twitter.com/2hoREcKk39
— Sachin_Tendulkar_FC (@shrisachinworld) February 7, 2017
18 years ago , what a day it was.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) February 7, 2017
The great @anilkumble1074 took all 10 in an innings against Pakistan .
What a day it was. pic.twitter.com/I7YIoImdUl
@MohammadKaif @anilkumble1074 Awesome at its best! Congratulations to Anil for the anniversary of this 10 on 10 achievement! pic.twitter.com/w3snZwefvX
— sachin tendulkar (@Sachin_rt_10) February 7, 2017
Can't believe this happened 18 years back. The memories of it still afresh. What a spell it was @anilkumble1074 https://t.co/117z6yTWvn
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) February 7, 2017
Thank you for bringing back the memories of that game. One of my most cherished cricketing moment. https://t.co/UplFkpOpJe
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) February 7, 2017