BENGALURU: February 7, 1999. The nippy day at Ferozeshah Kotla stadium is etched in history as the day India's spin legend Anil Kumble picked up a perfect 10 against Pakistan.
More than a decade later, at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on Saturday, Indian-born New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel repeated the feat becoming only the third cricketer to achieve the milestone.
Coming from a man who has lived those historic moments, Kumble said it was more destiny than planning.
"This is not something that you can plan for as a bowler. Of course, you plan for every batsman, but you never go out thinking you are going to take all ten wickets. It's just destiny, one of those things that happen on the cricket field," he said.
"It takes a lot of hard work, yes, but so many other things also need to fall in place. As well as one might bowl, all the catches need to go to hand, the fielders need to take those catches. That's what happened with Ajaz today, as it happened with me," Kumble added.
On his emotions when he reached the landmark, the 51-year-old recounted, "My first emotion when the tenth wicket fell against Pakistan was delight that we had defeated Pakistan. That was the most important thing, that we won the Test and squared the series, especially after how the first Test had gone. It was the fourth innings of the match and we were able to celebrate both the moment and the victory on the field, that made it quite special for me."
But with India gaining the upper hand on Day 2, Kumble pointed out, "Ajaz finds himself in a different place now. His 10-for came away from home, in the first innings of the Test, but New Zealand are not too well placed. However, that doesn't take anything away from a truly memorable achievement, I am very happy for him."
On all the three 10-wicket club members being spinners, Kumble opined, "Obviously, one of the things is that you must bowl for long periods. I know all three members of the Perfect Ten club are spinners, perhaps that has something to do with it. A fast bowler might get four or five wickets in a clutch, but not many pacers can bowl 15 or 20-over spells like spinners. On the flip side, you can only get ten wickets in an innings if you start with an opener's wicket. India were 80 when Ajaz took the first wicket."
Kumble admitted that life and the weight of expectations changed after the 10-wicket haul and hoped the same wouldn't happen with Ajaz.
"My life changed. Everybody started expecting a 10-for after I got 10. Maybe and hopefully for Ajaz, those kinds of expectations won't happen in New Zealand but it's wonderful that he achieved it and I am sure his life would change in terms of how the Perfect Ten man is what he will be known for. What a great thing to do in your birth place, in Mumbai, to get all ten," he said.
"Interestingly, three of my teammates who were on the ground when I got ten were at the Wankhede today as well - Rahul, Sri and Joshi!," signed off Kumble.
