February 7 is a day that cannot be forgotten in Indian cricket history. Because on this day in 1999, former India leg-spinner Anil Kumble created a special piece of history.
The Pakistan cricket team were touring India after nine years. India had lost the Chennai Test and the team had a chance to comeback at the Feroz Shah Kotla. During this Test in Delhi, Kumble did something when the whole world was watching that stunned the fans and players alike! But how did this happen, who was behind it and what tricks did Kumble use to complete such a wonderful feat, let's know the whole story behind it.
Kumble's 10
Former India leg-spinner Anil Kumble took all 10 wickets in an innings of a Test match against India's arch-rivals in Delhi. After Jim Laker, the bowlers from Karnataka became the second bowler to take 10 wickets in an innings. He completed this feat while conceding just 74 runs. All the wickets fell in a span of 37 runs and 18.2 overs.
It was a special victory for India. It was their first win over Pakistan in 23 Tests. Before this, the side had registered their last Test victory over Pakistan in 1979-80. But led by Kumble, they got all the wickets because of their special tricks as well as Sachin's golden arm!
Kumble's trick
Every cricketer has special beliefs, which can be construed as superstitions. Something similar was also followed by Kumble against Pakistan. Whenever Kumble went bowling in this game, Sachin used to hold his cap and sweater and then the Master Blaster used to deposit Kumble's things to the umpire.
Usually, it bowler himself gave his things to the umpire. But Kumble bagged a wicket and in doing so, they started performing very well. So the duo followed this every over. In the end, Kumble ended up taking 10 wickets in the innings.
Sachin's Golden Arm
Whenever Sachin Tendulkar used to take Kumble's cap and sweater, he used to take it with the same one hand — his left. This gave rise to Sachin Tendulkar's superstition that Kumble got a wicket by taking his sweater and cap. Sachin Tendulkar made it his success mantra at that moment and during Kumble's over, took his sweater and cap and handed it over to the umpire. In such a situation, its effect was immediately visible in the match and Kumble took all the wickets on his own.
