10 Wickets in an Innings: Historic Feats in Test, ODI, and T20 Cricket by Anil Kumble, Ajaz Patel, and Indian Bowlers
It is a feat in cricket, to say the very least, akin to a fairytale when a bowler takes all 10 wickets during an innings. These are feats that go beyond mere skill and relate to strategy, endurance, and the art of overwhelming the opposition beyond imagination. Rarely does one find such feats in history-a moment to be remembered. So far, only three bowlers have taken all 10 wickets in a single Test innings: England’s Jim Laker, India’s Anil Kumble, and New Zealand’s Ajaz Patel. A look at each of these legendary performances and what they mean for the game, more so for the Indian cricket fan still in celebration of Kumble’s incredible feat.
What is 10-Wicket Haul?
“10-wicket haul” refers to taking all ten opposition wickets by one bowler in a single innings in cricket. It is something respected because it means the bowler has absolutely outplayed the batters-something great of skill, stamina, and concentration, particularly in the longer version of Test cricket. History accounts for very few bowlers who have ever managed to do this throughout Test cricket history, and such is the performance that can never be forgotten.
10 Wickets in an Innings:
Jim Laker’s Pathbreaking Feat
Back in 1956, Jim Laker from England created history by becoming the first player in Test cricket to take all ten wickets in one innings. Against Australia in the Ashes at Old Trafford, he took a fantastic 10/53 in the second innings. His match figures of 19 wickets for 90 runs remain one of the most unbelievable feats in cricket. As a matter of fact, the great spell of spin by Laker set the bar high to show what was achievable with precision and control.
Iconic Performance by Anil Kumble
For Indian fans, the haul of ten wickets by Anil Kumble in 1999 was more than a sporting feat-it was a national moment of pride. Playing against Pakistan at Delhi, the spell of 10/74 by Kumble saw India record a memorable 212-run victory. The way he was focused that day, his rhythm and determination, still serves as a source of inspiration to this date. Kumble may have won a game, but he secured a niche in the annals of cricket for time eternal, and that performance by every yardstick is one of the greatest ever for the Indian fans.
Super Achievement by Ajaz Patel
Fast-forward to December 2021, and into this elite club came Ajaz Patel. Bowling for New Zealand, he took 10/119 against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The match may have been lost to New Zealand, but Patel’s feat shone brightest as the highlight of that game, more so because he was born in Mumbai. A connection that made the feat of his so special for Indian fans, a performance already incredible but touching on the personal level.
Why 10 Wickets in an Innings Means So Much in India
For Indian cricket, getting 10 wickets in an innings means a monumental achievement. Anil Kumble had managed to do the same, way back in 1999, and it got a whole new generation of bowlers inspired in India. Of course, this was a proud moment, and it came not only with his incredible skill but showed the leap of India’s strength in international cricket. Later, when Ajaz Patel pulled this off as a Mumbai-born player, that extra tinge of pride was there-for the Indian fans saw it, so to speak, as a kind of moment which proved globally rooted talents have their root in the Indian soil.
Possibility of 10-Wicket Feats in ODI and T20
So far, the feat has been restricted to Test cricket only. But one question still strikes the mind: can a bowler ever achieve it in ODI or T20 formats? There have been some great multi-wicket hauls in the limited-overs formats that come close to 10, as the limited-overs encounter makes it unlikely considering the restricted number of overs. In T20, while it is evolving, the role of the bowlers keeps on growing, and the fans stay avid for similar milestones to be seen in the shorter version games too. It was indeed some outstanding performances by bowlers who never managed even a single-inch mark in an innings.
Indian Bowlers Who’ve Come Close
India has always had a strong lineup of bowlers who have come close. Legends like Kapil Dev, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja time and again prove their mettle with high wicket tallies, many times delivering match-winning performances. Their contributions have kept India competitive across formats, and their performances underline the depth of bowling talent that exists in Indian cricket.
Conclusion
Taking all 10 wickets in an innings is one of cricket’s greatest milestones, signifying that a bowler can genuinely be a game-changer. Reaching such a level meant going beyond normal limits of endurance and skill for legends like Jim Laker, Anil Kumble, and Ajaz Patel. These careers hence are benchmarks for future players and proof of what is possible on the cricket field. Such instances are the way fans celebrate the legacy of the leading bowling performances, keeping that inspiration alive to bless future stars. To the next legendary bowler, who one day, perhaps, may join into this elite club of fast bowlers!
Also Read:- 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
