From a long career spanning 113 Test matches and 271 ODIs, it would be difficult to pick out the ten best performances of Anil Kumble especially when there are a number of excellent bowling displays.

Some certainly are impossible to ignore and can be mentioned straightaway. Obviously, his perfect ten-wicket haul in the Test against Pakistan at New Delhi in 1999 must take pride of place. After all, when a feat has been performed for only the second time in 122 years of Test cricket comprising some 1450 matches it has to be something really special.

Close behind this would be his best-known ODI feat – six for 12 against the West Indies in the Hero Cup final at Calcutta in 1993. This immediately gives him a triple distinction - the best by any Indian bowler in ODIs, the best by any bowler against the West Indies and the best bowling figures in India. Mention must be made of his innings figures of six for 53 from 44 accurate overs against South Africa at Johannesburg in 1992 – his first notable outing in Test cricket.

How can one forget his 12-wicket haul in the Sydney Test against Australia in 2003-04 when he strove manfully and virtually single handedly and almost bowled India to victory with figures of eight for 141 and four for 138 in the face of a formidable batting line up – Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh, Simon Katich, Damien Martyn and Adam Gilchrist. Read more