Anil Kumble birthday special: Top bowling performances of all-time

Former Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble is widely considered as one of the greatest bowlers of all-time in world cricket and his match-winning ability is renowned in Test cricket. Kumble continues to be the highest wicket-taker across all formats in Indian cricket, with 619 wickets in Test matches solely. He is credited as the third-highest wicket-taker of all time behind Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne. He made his first-class debut at the age of 19 while representing Karnataka. As he turns 49 on Thursday, here are some of Kumble's finest bowling performances of all time.

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1) 10-74 vs Pakistan, Delhi (1999)

In 1999, while playing against Pakistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, Kumble created history by dismissing all 10 batsmen in a single Test match innings, joining England’s Jim Laker as the only two players ever to achieve this feat. Kumble will always his 10th wicket being that of Saqlain Mushtaq. His figures of 10-744 will always remain memorable. 

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2) 12-279 vs Australia, Sydney (2004)

Anil Kumble took 12 of the 16 Australian wickets that fell in the final Test match between India and Australia in Sydney in January 2004. It is known to be Australian captain Steve Waugh's farewell match. However, it was Kumble who nearly spoilt the party by nearly getting India to the victory line in what was one of the best performances by an Indian bowler on Australian soil in Test cricket. Australia were lucky enough to get away with a draw as Kumble helped India retain the Border Gavaskar Trophy.

3) 6-72 vs Pakistan, Multan (2004)

Kumble's performances on India's historic Test series in Pakistan in 2004 is much understated due to other batting performances taking precedence. The spinner proved to be very good in the series but it was his spell of 6 for 72 in the second innings of the first test in Multan that was outstanding. It helped India to gain a much important lead in the Test series in the absence of captain Sourav Ganguly. In the end, India won the series 2-1, winning the last Test match in Rawalpindi where Kumble again proved his mettle with the ball in a must-win match with 4-47 in the second innings.

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