One of the most significant days in Indian cricket history was February 7, 1999. On this day twenty-five years ago, Anil Kumble became the first player for India to take ten wickets in an innings of a Test match. Kumble achieved the feat at Feroz Shah Kotla, now the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, during the second Test of the two-match series against Pakistan.
After Jim Laker of England, who took ten wickets against Australia at Old Trafford in Manchester back in July 1956, Kumble became the second bowler and the first Indian to attain the milestone.
After losing the first Test in Chennai by 12 runs, India was under tremendous pressure going into the New Delhi Test. In Delhi, Mohammed Azharuddin chose to bat first after winning the toss. India managed to score 252 runs in the first innings, but the majority of the Indian batsmen were unable to display their best form. Pakistan faced a similar batting collapse and were bundled out for 172. Kumble took 4 wickets in the first innings. The leg-spinner finished with outstanding numbers of 24.3-4-75-4. In the second innings India were all out for 339, giving Pakistan a mammoth target of 420 to chase
Anil Kumble runs havoc against Pakistan
With 101 runs for the first wicket off 24.2 overs from Saeed Anwar and Shahid Afridi, Pakistan got off to a strong start in their run-chase. Kumble took the valuable wicket of Afridi, who scored 41 runs off 64 balls with seven fours, just when it appeared that Pakistan was slowly gaining control.Anwar was dismissed by Kumble after scoring 69 runs off 128 balls.
Following the dismissal of both openers, Pakistan lost all direction and were reduced to 128 for 6 in 11.5 overs.
A 58-run partnership, Saleem Malik and captain Wasim Akram attempted to bring things back to normal, but their efforts were insufficient to help Pakistan cross the finish line. The visitors were bowled out for 207 runs in their second innings. Kumble bowled 26.3 overs, including nine maidens, and took 10 wickets for 74 runs in the fourth innings
