From Old Trafford to Kotla: Anil Kumble's 10/74 in 1999 that rewrote record books

Anil Kumble's 10/74 in Delhi Test, 1999 against Pakistan [Source: X]

Numerous Test match cricket records have been surpassed over time, continually updating the record books with new achievements such as the highest scores in Tests or ODIs. However, certain feats remain exceptionally challenging to break. 

For instance, Jim Laker's remarkable accomplishment of taking 10 wickets in a single Test innings against Australia at Old Trafford, Manchester, in 1956, stands as a testament to this.

Additionally, Laker’s nine wickets in the first innings of the match brought his total to 19 wickets in the Test, a world record yet to be matched. However, on February 7, 1999, Anil Kumble equalled Laker’s unique record when he ran through a strong Pakistani batting line and became only the second man to take 10 wickets in an innings.

How it all began

After a 12-year gap, Pakistan toured India and led the series 1-0 after their win in Chennai. In Delhi, India began well with notable contributions from Sadagoppan Ramesh (60) and captain Mohammad Azharuddin (67), reaching 231/4. 

However, Pakistan responded strongly, taking the last six wickets for just 21 runs—including two run outs—leaving India at 252 early on day two.

Pakistan’s response was mediocre. Shahid Afridi top-scored with 32 for Pakistan, as Indian bowlers shared wickets- Kumble took 4, Harbhajan Singh 3, Venkatesh Prasad 2, and Javagal Srinath 1. 

India secured an 80-run lead with Ramesh scoring 96, while Sourav Ganguly (62*) and Srinath (49) added crucial runs. The hosts eventually set a challenging target of 420 for Pakistan with two days remaining.

In reply, Pakistan started strongly, with openers batting confidently till lunch and scoring 100 runs. Kumble persisted and broke through in his seventh over, dismissing Afridi with the team total on 101. Afridi was not happy with the decision, but the umpire was convinced.

The spin of a lifetime

Kumble then removed Ijaz Ahmed first ball, followed by bowling Inzamam-ul-Haq and trapping Mohammad Yousuf LBW in the same over, with the score at 115. With further wickets of Moin Khan, caught by Ganguly, and Saeed Anwar, caught by VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble had six wickets in the innings already and ten in the match, putting Pakistan's chase in trouble.

Veteran of many battles, Saleem Malik and captain Wasim Akram batted firmly for 16 overs. None of the Indian players appeared concerned. They were just waiting for the wickets to fall at any time. Ultimately, Malik was dismissed by Anil Kumble after contributing 58 runs to the partnership, bowled while attempting a pull shot, and scoring a challenging 15 from 67 deliveries.

At that point, Anil Kumble achieving ten wickets in the innings seemed increasingly likely. In a span of a few overs, Mushtaq Ahmed and Saqlain Mushtaq were dismissed on consecutive deliveries, bringing Kumble's tally to nine wickets in the innings.

Kumble's greatest hunt: 10/74 at Feroz Shah Kotla

The 60th over, bowled by Srinath, was particularly intriguing as every Indian player, including Srinath himself, appeared reluctant to claim the final wicket. Meanwhile, Pakistan's number eleven, Waqar Younis, seemed eager to get dismissed to stop Kumble from doing the unthinkable- claiming 10 wickets in a Test innings.

However, Kumble ended all this drama soon. A forward push from Akram took the age and flew to short leg for Laxman to grab. Anil Kumble became the second player to take all ten wickets in a Test innings after Jim Laker. India won by 212 runs, with Kumble's final figures reading 26.3-9-74-10.

The win over Pakistan was always special during the 90s, but Anil Kumble’s historic feat was the cherry on the cake at Feroz Shah Kotla. He eventually ended with 14 wickets in the match. Meanwhile, Tendulkar, considered Kumble's lucky charm, was handing his cap and sweater to the umpire before each of Kumble's overs after the early wickets. He continued the ritual until the match ended.