On this day: Anil Kumble achieves this spectacular batting feat

There have been several instances when a bowler, instead of shining with the ball, has grabbed the headlines for his batting expedition. India stalwart Anil Kumble, with 619 Test wickets under his belt, is undoubtedly one of the greats to have braced the sport. Bamboozling the batsmen with his leg-spin and pace variations, one of Kumble’s best performances came against Pakistan where he scalped a record-breaking 10-wicket haul.

Keeping aside his bowling outings, one of the highlights of Kumble’s illustrious career was his batting exhibit against England on 10th August 2007. India and England were facing off in the 3rd Test at The Oval in 2007 and the Rahul Dravid-led side, after electing to bat first, were on their way to amassing a mammoth total on the scoreboard.

The innings

India, flaunting a robust batting display against the hosts, had gathered 508/7 by the time Dhoni departed for 92 on Day 2. India had already cruised to a dominant total but no batsman was able to add a century to his name. It was that moment when Anil Kumble decided to add another feather in his cap. The tailender went past his fifty and he was in the 90s in no time. All eyes were on him to script an iconic ton and do what other India batsmen failed to pull off.

Kumble had been delivering with the ball in international cricket for 17 years but the world was yet to witness his batting masterclass. While cruising to his ton, there came a scare moment as he advanced to play a big shot but almost missed it. The ball, after hitting the bottom of his bat, went through the legs of the keeper and raced to the boundary. Had the keeper collected the ball, Kumble’s century heist would’ve been an unfinished tale.

But as fate would have it, the ball raced to the boundary and the crowd was on its feet to laud Kumble’s elusive milestone. Kumble had finally achieved it. After playing over 100 Tests, Kumble finally had grabbed the chance of raising his bat and acknowledging the crowd’s applause.

TEST CENTURY
OVAL | 2007 AUGhttps://t.co/ct83tLDEaS#GetBowledOver pic.twitter.com/96ivNO8E7c

— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) September 7, 2015

Kumble remained unbeaten on 110 in 193 balls with 16 fours and a six as India amassed a 664-run total on the scoreboard. Though India failed to seal the encounter due to England’s valiant batting in both the innings, the Test had certainly got the ‘Jumbo’ stamp.

Amidst his long and illustrious career for India, Kumble’s wait for proving his batting forte on the biggest stage had finally ended. After toling for decades with the ball, he had finally managed to script a record with his willow. Kumble undeniably clinched the Man of the Match trophy as India registered a series victory on the English soil. His century was India’s only hundred in the winning series.