Anil Kumble became only the second bowler in Test history to take all 10 wickets in a single innings, finishing with 10/74 as Pakistan were bowled out for 207 — a performance that, like Laker's, required near-perfect conditions and one man to be utterly unplayable.
India vs Pakistan Tests in Delhi are always high-stakes affairs. This 1999 series — the first Pakistan Test tour of India in 12 years — was politically charged and extremely competitive. Kumble was a leg-spinner who relied on accuracy and pace rather than the classical loop and turn of a traditional leg-spinner.
Pakistan were set a target and had made 128/1 in their second innings before the pitch began to deteriorate. Kumble was introduced into the attack. His first wicket fell quickly. Then another. Then the innings became something else entirely.
One by one, Pakistan's batsmen fell to Kumble. Saeed Anwar, Mohammad Wasim, Ijaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Salim Malik, Moin Khan — each taken by the same tireless leg-spinner. When Wasim Akram edged behind, Kumble had 9. With one wicket remaining, the entire Kotla ground held its breath.
The final wicket: Waqar Younis edged Kumble to Rahul Dravid at slip. 10 wickets. Kumble raised both arms. His teammates mobbed him. The last time 10 wickets in a Test innings had been taken was Jim Laker in 1956 — 43 years earlier.
Pakistan were bowled out for 207. India won by 212 runs. But the match was entirely overshadowed by Kumble's achievement — a performance that elevated his stature from great bowler to cricketing legend.
Kumble's 9th wicket — the ground falls silent, one more needed
Waqar Younis edges to Dravid at slip — Kumble's 10th wicket
Kumble raising both arms — the second 10-wicket innings haul in Test history
February 1999
First Pakistan tour of India in 12 years
Pakistan 2nd innings
Kumble starts bowling — wickets begin falling
Wicket 9
Kumble has 9/70 — final wicket required
Final wicket
Waqar edges to Dravid — Kumble 10/74
India won the second Test and the series. Kumble became the third highest wicket-taker in Test history (619 wickets), behind only Murali and Warne. His 10/74 became the defining performance of his career.
The second and last time 10 wickets in a Test innings has been taken. Kumble's achievement required the same confluence of great bowling, conditions, and sustained pressure as Laker's — and its rarity is confirmed by the fact that it has not happened in the 25 years since.
Kumble's 10/74 is proof that great bowling records come in pairs — Laker's 19 and Kumble's 10 are the only two examples of their respective feats. Together they stand as the two most extraordinary individual bowling innings in Test history.
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