Perfect 10 is a very rare occurrence and might never happen again: Anil Kumble

The most successful Indian spinner Anil Kumble is highly regarded for his wickets tally in Test cricket. He is the third highest wicket-taker in the history of the longest format of the game and was instrumental in some remarkable wins for the Indian team. Among some of his remarkable achievements is the perfect ten that he secured in a Test match against Pakistan in New Delhi.

It was this day (February 7) exactly eighteen years ago that Kumble dismissed the entire Pakistan batting line-up in the second innings to complete a perfect ten and win the game for the Indian team by a huge 212-run margin. He returned with figures of 10/74 in the innings after bowling just 26.3 overs. He is the head coach of the Indian team now and addressed a press meet today where the reporters congratulated him for the rare record and asked him to share some insight.

“I never thought sitting in the dressing room or going out to bowl that I was going to pick 10 wickets, it’s something that happens. It’s nice to celebrate anniversaries of cricketing milestones, if it happens it happens it can happen tomorrow it can happen ten years down the line it may not happen at all. I don’t think somebody getting a chance to pick ten wickets, it’s a very rare occurring and I was probably blessed and privileged to be a part of something that is unique and I am glad people remember anniversaries and we also celebrate cricketing anniversaries and milestones.” Kumble said.

When asked if he remembers all the wickets he laughed and said, “Yes, of course, I remember all the 600 as well.”

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In a previous interview a few years back the leggie also revealed the bit of superstition associated with his feat. “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. I wanted to keep him as quiet as possible,” Kumble was quoted by BCCI.tv.