Test match number 1443 featured India facing Pakistan at the Ferozeshah Kotla, now known as Arun Jaitley Stadium, in New Delhi. This match was the second in a two-match series, marking the first encounter between the two teams in India since 1987. A week earlier, Wasim Akram's team had triumphed in a thrilling contest in Chennai, winning by 12 runs, despite an outstanding fourth-innings century from Sachin Tendulkar, who valiantly contended with a formidable bowling attack and severe back pain.

For India, securing a victory in the national capital was essential to avoid conceding a second consecutive home series to their long-standing rivals. The first three days unfolded as planned, with India establishing an 80-run lead in the first innings, benefiting from Mohammad Azharuddin's favorable coin toss. By the end of the moving middle day of the Test, India had reached 324 for seven, holding an overall lead of 404 runs.

On the fourth day, February 7, 1999, the day began like any other Sunday, but it would soon take an unexpected turn. India managed to add only 15 runs to their overnight score before being bowled out for 339. This set Pakistan a daunting target of 420 runs, a record that had never been successfully chased in Test cricket at that time. An Indian victory seemed almost assured; it was merely a question of when and by what margin.

There were initial signs of apprehension as Pakistan commenced their chase. On a sluggish pitch where executing strokes proved challenging yet survival was not entirely out of reach, Saeed Anwar and Shahid Afridi, who had recently celebrated a maiden Test century in Chennai, made a significant impact. They remained unbeaten at lunch, nearing a century partnership for the opening wicket. Azhar experimented with all four of his bowlers—Javagal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad, Harbhajan Singh, and the standout of the group, leg-spinner Anil Kumble—but to no avail. While the crowd experienced tension and unease, a sense of tranquility prevailed on the field. There was a prevailing belief that the fall of one wicket would lead to a cascade of others.

By the time lunch arrived, Kumble had bowled eight overs from the far end of the ground. It was somewhat unconventional to deploy him from that end, as there were several advantageous areas to target if he bowled from the Pavilion End—at that time, the dressing rooms were located behind the sightscreen but have since been relocated several yards to the left, now situated in the Virat Kohli Pavilion. During the lunch break, India reassessed their strategy, Kumble changed ends, and the extraordinary began to unfold.

In a remarkable spell of 18.3 overs, the bowler from Bengaluru orchestrated India’s triumph with a performance that will be remembered for years to come. Although often overused, the phrase truly applies here. By the conclusion of his spell, Pakistan had been dismissed for 207, and India secured victory by a margin of 212 runs.

As for Kumble, he concluded with figures of 10 for 74, claiming all ten wickets in an innings. This achievement marked only the second instance in Test history. Jim Laker, the English off-spinner, had previously accomplished this on July 31, 1956, against Australia in Manchester during Test No. 428. After a span of 42 years and over 1,000 Tests, he welcomed a second member into this prestigious club, which Ajaz Patel joined in November 2021 by taking all ten Indian wickets in Mumbai. The exclusive group of bowlers who have achieved a ten-wicket haul includes spinners of various types—an off-spinner, a leg-spinner, and a left-arm finger spinner. Now, could a left-arm wrist-spinner be next?

Kumble's memories from the iconic Test

It would be an understatement to say that Kumble cherishes the memories of that chilly Sunday in Delhi. After 26 years, he remains optimistic about the events of that afternoon and his place in the annals of cricket history. He acknowledges that his phone does not receive a flurry of messages on February 7, remarking, “After all, last year marked the silver jubilee, and I assume it has all been said and done.” However, he is greeted with a multitude of messages on social media and an abundance of videos from various sources, which bring him joy and transport him back to that moment.

“For me, February 7 represents an event that everyone associates with me,” Kumble shared with Hindustan Times. “It holds a special significance. Such moments are rare, but they become defining points in one’s career. I perceive it as a celebration of the game of cricket and its importance to India, as well as to the supporters of Indian cricket. It truly reflects how people connect the sport with particular events. I feel fortunate to be part of this environment, where an event in my life resonates with others.”

Kumble concluded a remarkable career with 619 Test wickets, a record for India that is unlikely to be surpassed soon. When asked how it feels to be associated with one standout performance after 18 years of hard work, similar to VVS Laxman’s iconic 281 in Kolkata, Kumble responded, “I haven’t considered it from that perspective. It is undoubtedly one of the highlights of my career. I have a poster of that day’s events, showcasing the ten wickets, displayed in my office; it is an integral part of my life. I view it more as a testament to how people connect with cricket. Encountering numerous fans who hold the sport in high regard and witnessing their respect and admiration for cricket and its players illustrates how deeply ingrained cricket is in the lives of people in India.”

To support his argument, Kumble draws upon his personal experiences, although he feels no need to do so. He reminisces, “I have encountered individuals at airports or in public spaces, and this often serves as a catalyst for conversation. Some mention that they were present at the ground, while others, particularly those around my age (now 54), share that they watched the event on television. There are also those who recount how they had an exam that day but chose to forgo it in favor of watching the unfolding drama on screen. However, the majority approach me with comments like, ‘Sir, I was very young; I learned about it from my parents and later viewed it on YouTube.’ This sentiment is somewhat disheartening, as it makes me feel quite aged! Nevertheless, it is genuinely gratifying, without a doubt.

“I encountered an individual in Ahmedabad a few years ago whose wedding coincided with my ten-wicket haul. The auspicious time for the ceremony was set for the afternoon, and while the bride’s brother was supposed to officiate, he was nowhere to be found. Interestingly, the guests at the wedding seemed more captivated by the television than the ceremony itself. People often associate significant celebrations with personal memories, whether it be a World Cup victory or remarkable individual performances, and this instance is no exception. For me, the two most memorable moments are undoubtedly this ten-wicket haul and the incident involving the West Indies (for those unfamiliar, Kumble bowled with a broken jaw after being struck by a bouncer from Mervyn Dillion, enduring immense pain to deliver 14 overs and dismiss Brian Lara in front during the Antigua Test in May 2002, before returning to Bengaluru for surgery). It is more of a recollection than anything else.”

Kumble’s extraordinary accomplishment was recognized when authorities designated a prominent intersection in the Central Business District as the ‘Anil Kumble Circle.’ This intersection overlooks the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, which is considered Kumble’s cricketing home. However, for reasons unknown, the sign bearing the name ‘Anil Kumble Circle’ has vanished (hopefully only temporarily).

Kumble emphasizes that he does not perceive this as a personal accolade, expressing pride in having a circle named in his honor. He notes the significance of being recognized by the people of Bengaluru, where he has spent his entire life, describing it as a profound honor that he will always treasure.

Reflecting on February 7, he is asked if he anticipated it would be a remarkable day. While he did not foresee achieving ten wickets, he sensed the potential for a successful outing. He chuckles, stating, “Ten wickets? That thought never crossed my mind. One cannot enter an innings solely focused on claiming all ten wickets. I recognized the chance for a five-wicket haul, aiming to contribute to the team's success.”

Kumble shares that his mental and physical preparation for that innings mirrored his usual routine. The night before, he would visualize the opposing batsmen and strategize how to dismiss each one before moving on to the next. This practice has been a lifelong habit for him. He explains, “Preparation at the nets was one aspect, but mental preparation was equally crucial. I would consider the conditions and the opposition to devise my bowling strategy, which was integral to my routine.”

He describes this mental exercise as lasting five to ten minutes before sleep, during which he would contemplate his plan for the following day. Some nights, he would envision dismissing all the opposing batsmen, while on others, he might only get through the first two. He acknowledges that his mind could wander, requiring him to refocus. However, he distinctly recalls the evening of February 6, when he successfully visualized getting all eleven batsmen out, emphasizing the importance of planning for every player, not just ten. During that spell, he maintained a singular focus, concentrating solely on the next delivery. In contrast, when he was not in that focused state, distractions would occupy his thoughts.

Such simplicity is evident in the remarkable figures of ten for 74 from 26.3 overs, or ten for 37.

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