On This Day: Pakistan gets defeated by Anil Kumble’s outstanding 10-wicket performance.

Cricket had a historic turning point on February 7, 1999, when the great Indian spinner Anil Kumble inscribed his name into the annals of the game. Kumble produced a masterful effort, taking ten wickets in one Test innings in a thrilling match against Pakistan at Delhi’s Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium (now Arun Jaitley Stadium).

When Kumble faced Pak, his captivating display of control and precision completely destroyed the opposition. He bowled with economy and accuracy, giving up just 74 runs in 26.3 overs with nine maidens as he worked his magic on Pakistan’s batting order. India won by a commanding 212 runs because of his outstanding effort.

India chose to bat first in the match, amassing a respectable 252 runs, supported by fifties from Mohammad Azharuddin and Sadagoppan Ramesh. Pak failed to respond, giving up an 80-run advantage to India as they were bowled out for 172. With 96 runs in the second inning, Ramesh maintained his excellent form and gave Pakistan a difficult goal of 419.

Watch Anil Kumble go over the Pakistani batting lineup here.

HISTORY CREATED BY ANIL KUMBLE ON THIS DAY 25 YEARS AGO…!!! 🤯

10 WICKETS IN AN INNINGS AGAINST PAKISTAN.pic.twitter.com/IhmZy7cleu

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 7, 2024

With a century-long partnership, Pakistan’s opening pair, Shahid Afridi and Saeed Anwar, gave a positive start. Hopes of a hat-trick were dashed, though, when the right-arm leg spinner broke the partnership, dismissing Afridi for 41 and Ijaz Ahmed for a duck in consecutive deliveries.

For just 106 runs, Kumble claimed the final nine wickets.

Kumble kept going for wickets even after he failed to complete the hat trick. He took the highly sought-after scalps of Mohammad Yousuf and Inzamam-ul-Haq in rapid succession, bringing Pak to 115 for 4. As the Karnataka spinner shredded the opposition, excitement was in the air at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium.

Following Kumble’s deft manipulation of the Pak batting lineup, there was a spectacular collapse. His remarkable stint of taking the final nine wickets for just 106 runs sealed India’s victory and cemented his place in cricket history. The only other person to accomplish the amazing achievement of ten wickets in an innings before Kumble was Jim Laker of England in 1956. Ajaz Patel of New Zealand joined the ranks in 2021, making Kumble the only Indian member of this exclusive group for more than 20 years.