This Day, That Year - Anil Kumble's Perfect Ten At Feroz Shah Kotla

Taking ten wickets in the innings of a Test match is not something that is seen every day and to witness it is a matter of good fortune.

AFP

On February 7, 1999, this rare feat was achieved by India's Anil Kumble in the second Test against Pakistan at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi. Kumble became only the second player to do so after England's Jim Laker who did so against Australia in 1956.

Kumble finished with figures of 10 for 74 - second only to Laker's 10 for 53. When VVS Laxman latched on to the catch at forward short leg to dismiss Wasim Akram, the crowd and players went wild with joy. The most memorable scene would be Indian coach Anshuman Gaekwad running onto the field and the players hoisting Kumble over their shoulders.

India were down 1-0 in the series and a win was crucial. Pakistan were chasing 420 to win on the fourth day and the openers had put on a century-run stand. In came Kumble to produce 26.3 overs of magic which turned the game. Shahid Afridi was the first to go as he edged to the keeper Nayan Mongia with the score on 101. Ijaz Ahmed and Inzamam-ul-Haq soon followed and once Saeed Anwar departed Pakistan were staring at a huge defeat.

From 101/0 they crumbled to 128/6. But Kumble was not done yet. The Pakistanis had no answer to the turn and bounce he got off the pitch and were sent packing for 207. India won by 212 runs with a day to spare.

Seventeen years down the line, people have not got tired of that awesome spell by arguably India's best bowler. It is one the fans across the border will not forget in a hurry either as they saw their team collapse at the hands of a single individual.