When Anil Kumble grabbed a 'Perfect 10' to enter history books

Bengaluru, February 7: On this day, nearly two decades ago former India captain and coach Anil Kumble entered the history books becoming only the second bowler after England's Jim Laker to claim all 10 wickets in an innings of a Test match.

Kumble achieved that feat against Pakistan in the second innings at Feroze Shah Kotla dismissing Wasim Akram for his 10th victim.

The man of the day attributed that big feat to destiny. "A 'Perfect Ten' isn't something you set out to achieve as a cricketer. I would attribute the events of 7th February 1999 to destiny," Kumble was quoted as saying in the BCCI.tv.

India set Pakistan a massive target of 420 to win before bundling the neighbours out for 207 in 60.3 overs celebrate a 212-run victory.

"Pakistan were set 420 to win with almost two days to spare. On a wicket that was steadily deteriorating, it seemed a tall ask, but their opening combination of Saeed Anwar and Shahid Afridi gave them a start. They went into lunch undefeated, and with over a hundred on the board.

"Although the target was still a tall order, the onus was on us to break the partnership. I knew I had to raise my game. A new batsman would find it very difficult to get going on that strip, and we sensed that one scalp would put the cat among the pigeons," said Kumble.

"Sachin (Tendulkar) did his bit to turn things around. He started handing my cap and sweater to the umpire at the start of an over, in an attempt to 'bring me luck.' He wasn't doing that all the time, but it so happened that whenever he did that, a wicket fell! The floodgates opened with Afridi's dismissal," he said.

#OnThisDay in 1999, Indian legend @anilkumble1074 wrote himself into the record books by taking 1️⃣0️⃣ ∕ 7️⃣4️⃣ against Pakistan in the 2nd Test! pic.twitter.com/HtldN6dG6l

— ICC (@ICC) February 7, 2018

Kumble remembered how his teammates gathered around him to help him get the 'Perfect 10.'

"Post tea, wicket number seven came, and it was followed by numbers eight and nine off consecutive balls. It was only then that the entire team got together to confront the possibility of a 'Perfect Ten.'

"I will never forget how my team-mates rallied around me. Javagal Srinath was bowling at the other end when the ninth wicket fell. He bowled wide of the stumps...It was flattering, and at the same time, embarrassing. It wouldn't have been fair had a bowler of Sri's calibre been forced to bowl another over like that.

"The ball that finished the match pitched on the perfect length, took the edge of Wasim's bat, and Laxman snapped it up at short-leg. What followed is a blur," Kumble said.