Jumbo Performances - Top 10 Test bowling performances of Anil Kumble

# 2: 7/48 vs Australia, Chennai, 2004

Anil Kumble vs Australia, 2004

On a first day Chennai track, Australia had raced to a good start and looked set for a big first innings score at 136 for no loss. The pitch had a little bit of bounce in it, but not much spin, being a first day track. Harbhajan Singh got both openers out, after which Simon Katich and Damian Martyn had a good partnership, which took the score to 189 for2.

It was then that Kumble produced one of the greatest spells of spin bowling ever seen on a first day track. In a mesmerizing spell of 10 overs, Kumble took 7 Aussie wickets for 25 runs, and Australia slumped from 189/2 to be 235 all out. It was one of the biggest batting collapses ever seen on a first day pitch.

Most batsmen couldn’t control the bounce from Kumble’s deliveries and were caught by close in fielders. Adam Gilchrist said that it was one of the greatest bowling spells he had ever seen, and compared it to Curtly Ambrose’s spell of 7/1 at Perth.

India dominated the rest of the Test match and needed 229 runs on the last day to win the Test match. Unfortunately the rain washed out the last day of the Test and a great match ended in a draw.