Anil Kumble 10/74 Explained: The Only 10-Wicket Test Innings Since 1956 and His Career 619 Wickets
Anil Kumble's 10 wickets in a single innings (vs Pakistan, Delhi, 1999) — the only instance in Test cricket since Jim Laker's 10/53 in 1956, how Kumble took all 10 (the last wicket Wasim Akram caught at slip), Kumble's 619 Test wickets (3rd most all-time), and why his leg-spin was different from Warne's (top-spin and accuracy over sideways turn).
Anil Kumble (born October 17, 1970, Bangalore) took 619 Test wickets in 132 Tests at 29.65 average — the third most in Test history, behind Muralitharan (800) and Shane Warne (708). His most celebrated moment is a feat achieved only twice in Test cricket history: taking all 10 wickets in a single innings. Kumble took 10 wickets for 74 runs against Pakistan in the second innings of the second Test (Ferozeshah Kotla, Delhi, February 7, 1999). Jim Laker took 10/53 for England vs Australia at Old Trafford in 1956 — the only other 10-wicket innings in Test history.
How Kumble Took All 10 Wickets
The match context (Delhi, February 1999): (1) India had scored 252 in the first innings; Pakistan 172. India's second innings produced 339. Pakistan needed 420 to win — effectively set up as an India win if Pakistan were bowled out; (2) Kumble bowled throughout Pakistan's second innings: all 10 Pakistan wickets fell to him. The 10 wickets: Saeed Anwar (caught Tendulkar at short leg), Shadab Kabir (bowled), Ijaz Ahmed (caught Dravid at slip), Inzamam-ul-Haq (LBW), Yousuf Youhana (caught Ganguly at forward short leg), Moin Khan (caught Warne-equivalent in the slips — actually caught by Rahul Dravid), Wasim Akram (the 10th wicket — caught by Sachin Tendulkar at second slip), Saqlain Mushtaq, Waqar Younis, and Mushtaq Ahmed; (3) The 10th wicket: Wasim Akram was the last batsman. He edged Kumble to Tendulkar at second slip — Tendulkar's catch completed the 10-wicket haul. The image of Kumble being embraced by his teammates after that catch is one of Indian cricket's most celebrated photographs; (4) The bowling figures: 26.3 overs, 9 maidens, 74 runs, 10 wickets. Kumble bowled right-arm leg-spin across the entire second innings — no other bowler took a wicket.
Kumble's Bowling Style: Not Warne's Leg-Spin
Kumble's leg-spin was distinctively different from the conventional Shane Warne model: (1) Turn vs top-spin: Warne's leg-spin generated significant sideways turn — the ball spinning sharply from leg to off for a right-handed batsman. Kumble's primary delivery was more a top-spinner (the ball spins over the top of the seam, continuing straight or dipping), with less sideways turn than Warne. This meant Kumble was less likely to beat the bat by turn, but more likely to trap batsmen LBW (the ball continuing straight onto the pads when the batsman expected turn and played for it); (2) Pace: Kumble bowled faster than Warne — his pace was approximately 75-80 km/h (fast for a leg-spinner). Batsmen had less time to read him; (3) Accuracy: Kumble's accuracy was exceptional — he rarely gave away runs and maintained consistent pressure. His economy rate in Tests (2.69 runs per over) reflects this control; (4) The India conditions factor: Kumble was most effective on subcontinental pitches (flat, dry, some turn available). But unlike the conventional wisdom that spinners are specialists, Kumble took wickets on all surfaces — he took wickets in Australia, England, South Africa (harder conditions for spinners); (5) Leadership: Kumble captained India in 14 Tests (after Anil Kumble replaced Rahul Dravid in 2007) before Dhoni took over. He took 619 wickets as a player and later became India's head coach (2016-2019).
Kumble's 619 Wickets: The Third-Greatest Total
Kumble's position in the all-time Test wickets list: (1) Muralitharan: 800 wickets at 22.72 (Sri Lanka); (2) Shane Warne: 708 wickets at 25.41 (Australia); (3) Anil Kumble: 619 wickets at 29.65 (India); (4) James Anderson: 700+ wickets (ongoing, England). Anderson has since passed Warne and is pursuing Muralitharan's record. Kumble held third place on retirement (2008) and remains the highest wicket-taker among subcontinent spinners outside Sri Lanka. His 619 wickets include: 236 against teams of the highest quality (Australia, England, South Africa, West Indies combined). He is India's highest wicket-taker in Tests — Harbhajan Singh (417) is second. The comparison: Kumble took 619 wickets at 29.65 vs Warne's 708 at 25.41. Warne's wickets are cheaper per wicket (more economical per run). Kumble's volume is lower but his contribution to India's Test successes across the late 1990s and 2000s (when India rose from inconsistent team to Test number 1) was foundational.
Frequently asked questions
Has anyone taken 10 wickets in a Test innings?
Yes — only twice in Test cricket history: (1) Jim Laker: 10/53 for England vs Australia, Old Trafford, July 1956 (off-spin); (2) Anil Kumble: 10/74 for India vs Pakistan, Delhi (Ferozeshah Kotla), February 1999 (leg-spin). Both bowlers were spinners. No fast bowler has ever taken 10 wickets in a Test innings. Laker also took 9 wickets in the first innings of the same match — giving him 19 wickets in a single Test, which remains the all-time record for most wickets in one Test match.
How many Test wickets did Anil Kumble take?
Anil Kumble took 619 Test wickets in 132 Tests at an average of 29.65 — the third most in Test history (behind Muralitharan's 800 and Warne's 708, with James Anderson now above Kumble with 700+). Kumble is India's highest Test wicket-taker. His 10/74 vs Pakistan (Delhi, 1999) is one of only two 10-wicket innings in Test history. Kumble's bowling style featured fast leg-spin with top-spin emphasis (less sideways turn than Warne) and exceptional accuracy — economy rate 2.69 runs per over in Tests.
What is the difference between Kumble's and Warne's leg-spin?
Anil Kumble and Shane Warne both bowled right-arm leg-spin but in distinctly different styles: Warne generated significant sideways turn (the ball spinning sharply from leg to off), beating the outside edge and creating caught-behind and LBW opportunities through lateral deviation. Kumble bowled primarily top-spin (the ball spinning over the top, continuing straight or dipping) — less sideways turn, but more LBW opportunities because the ball does not deviate away from the stumps. Kumble bowled faster (75-80 km/h) than Warne (60-70 km/h). Warne is widely considered the greater artistic bowler; Kumble was the more relentless, accurate accumulator of wickets.