On This Day: India vs Pakistan; Anil Kumble created history with 10 Wickets - Watch

In the history of cricket, February 7 is a special date. In the annals of the India vs Pakistan rivalry, this day in 1999 saw a moment of magic from Anil Kumble, who picked up 10 wickets in an innings.

Anil Kumble, the gritty leg-spinner, rattled Pakistan at the Feroz Shah Kotla to etch his name in the history books some 26 years ago.

Anil Kumble created history with 10 Wickets - Watch

The year was 1999, and India was playing a crucial Test match against Pakistan at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi (now Arun Jaitley Stadium). This was the second Test of the Asian Test Championship, and India had lost the first Test in Chennai despite Sachin Tendulkar's heroic century. This match was important for India to level the series and restore pride.

The pitch at Delhi was expected to assist spinners on the last couple of days, and India had their best spinners in Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh to take advantage. The Indian team, led by Mohammad Azharuddin, batted first and posted 252 runs in their first innings, with Sadagopan Ramesh (60) and Sourav Ganguly (39) making key contributions. Pakistan, in reply, put up 172 runs, thanks to Shahid Afridi's attacking 41 and Moin Khan's 47, but were undone by Javagal Srinath's 5-wicket haul.

India, in their second innings, scored 339/9 declared, with Sadagopan Ramesh (96) narrowly missing a century and Sourav Ganguly contributing 62. This set Pakistan a challenging target of 420 runs to win.

Anil Kumble's 10 wickets

On February 7, 1999, as Pakistan began their second innings, no one could have predicted that history was about to be made.

First Wicket - Shahid Afridi (0/1)
Pakistan started aggressively but Anil Kumble struck early, dismissing Shahid Afridi (6), caught by Sadagopan Ramesh at short leg. This breakthrough set the tone for what was to follow.

Second Wicket - Ijaz Ahmed (6/2)
Kumble then removed Ijaz Ahmed (0), trapping him LBW with a sharp delivery that skidded through.

Third Wicket - Inzamam-ul-Haq (6/3)
Kumble soon sent back Inzamam-ul-Haq (6), who misjudged a quicker one and was caught by Laxman at silly point.

Fourth Wicket - Mohammad Yousuf (26/4)
Next, Mohammad Yousuf (then Yousuf Youhana), who was looking settled, edged a flighted delivery to Nayan Mongia behind the stumps.

At this stage, Pakistan was reeling at 26/4, and Kumble had already created panic.

Fifth Wicket - Moin Khan (25/5)
Pakistan's wicketkeeper-batsman Moin Khan (2) fell next, misreading the bounce and giving a simple catch to Sourav Ganguly at forward short leg.

Sixth Wicket - Saleem Malik (27/6)
Veteran Saleem Malik, one of Pakistan's most experienced batsmen, tried to counterattack but edged Kumble to Rahul Dravid at slip. Pakistan was now 27/6, and India was in complete control.

Seventh Wicket - Wasim Akram (53/7)
Pakistan's captain Wasim Akram, known for his aggressive batting, tried to resist but was caught at deep mid-wicket by Javagal Srinath, who smartly positioned himself for the catch.

Eighth Wicket - Saqlain Mushtaq (65/8)
Kumble's relentless bowling continued as he dismissed Saqlain Mushtaq, who flicked a leg-side delivery straight to Sourav Ganguly at short leg.

Ninth Wicket - Mushtaq Ahmed (71/9)
Leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed, trying to fend off Kumble, was caught by Sadagopan Ramesh close in.

Final Wicket - Waqar Younis (74/10)
With one wicket remaining, all eyes were on Anil Kumble. He bowled a fast, full delivery that trapped Waqar Younis plumb LBW, completing the historic feat. Pakistan was all out for 207, and India won the match by 212 runs.

With this performance, Anil Kumble became only the second bowler in Test cricket history to take all 10 wickets in an innings, after Jim Laker of England (1956, vs Australia).