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The rise and rise of Anil Kumble
Rajneesh Gupta |
December 11, 2004
Ace leg spinner Anil Kumble created history on Friday by surpassing Kapil Dev's decade-old record of 434 wickets to become the highest wicket-taker for India in Test cricket.
The 34-year-old Kumble achieved the feat when he had Muhammad Rafique trapped leg before wicket on the opening day of the first Test against Bangladesh at the Bangabandhu Stadium at Dhaka.
Here is a detailed statistical look at Kumble's impressive bowling career.
Known as: Anil Kumble
Born: 17 October 1970, Bangalore
Type: Right-hand lower order batsman and right-arm leg-break googly bowler
Teams: Karnataka (1989/90-1999/00), India (1990-2004/05),Northamptonshire (1995) & Leicestershire (2000)
First-Class Debut: Karnataka v Hyderabad (Ranji Trophy) at Secunderabad in 1989-90
Test Debut: v England at Manchester in 1990
Best Bowling in an innings: 10-74 v Pakistan at Delhi in 1998-99
Best Bowling in a Test: 14-149 v Pakistan at Delhi in 1998-99
Best Bowling in a series: 27 wickets (in 4 Tests) v Australia in 2004-05 (in India)
Performance against each country This is how Kumble got his wickets Kumble's bunnies Kumble in each calendar year Kumble in each country Kumble in each series Batting positions of victims Batting styles of victims Runs scored by victims Wickets per innings Performance result-wise Performance under different captains 5 or more wickets in an innings (28) 10 or more wickets in a match (6) Kumble v Kapil (Match by match) Kumble v Kapil (Tests taken to reach each progressive milestone of 50 wickets) Top 10 Indian bowlers Ahead of Kumble in all Test cricket Performance against each country:
| Opponent | Tests | Balls | Runs | Wkts | Ave | Best | 5WI | 10M | SR | ER |
| Australia | 14 | 4836 | 2391 | 88 | 27.17 | 8-141 | 9 | 2 | 54.95 | 49.44 |
| South Africa | 16 | 5438 | 2084 | 66 | 31.58 | 6-53 | 3 | - | 82.39 | 38.32 |
| England | 13 | 4370 | 1864 | 62 | 30.06 | 7-115 | 3 | 1 | 70.48 | 42.65 |
| West Indies | 13 | 3354 | 1546 | 51 | 30.31 | 5-30 | 3 | - | 65.76 | 46.09 |
| New Zealand | 11 | 3610 | 1293 | 50 | 25.86 | 6-67 | 3 | 1 | 72.20 | 35.82 |
| Sri Lanka | 12 | 3533 | 1535 | 46 | 33.37 | 7-59 | 2 | 1 | 76.80 | 43.45 |
| Pakistan | 6 | 1648 | 840 | 37 | 22.70 | 10-74 | 3 | 1 | 44.54 | 50.97 |
| Zimbabwe | 5 | 1885 | 674 | 34 | 19.82 | 5-63 | 2 | - | 55.44 | 35.76 |
| Bangladesh | 1 | 83 | 45 | 2 | 22.50 | 2-45 | - | - | 41.50 | 54.21 |
| TOTAL | 91 | 28757 | 12272 | 436 | 28.14 | 10-74 | 28 | 6 | 65.95 | 42.67 |
This is how Kumble got his wickets
| Mode of Dismissal | Home | Away | TOTAL |
| Bowled | 38 | 25 | 63 |
| Caught in the field | 131 | 84 | 215 |
| Caught by keeper | 17 | 5 | 22 |
| Caught & bowled | 14 | 9 | 23 |
| Stumped | 5 | 7 | 12 |
| LBW | 67 | 34 | 101 |
| TOTAL | 272 | 164 | 436 |
Kumble's bunnies
| Aravinda de Silva (SL) | 7 times |
| Roshan Mahanama (SL) | 7 times |
| Andrew Hudson (SA) | 7 times |
| Hansie Cronje (SA) | 7 times |
| Ricky Ponting (Aus) | 7 times |
| Adam Gilchrist (Aus) | 7 times |
| Simon Katich (Aus) | 6 times |
| Shane Warne (Aus) | 6 times |
| Adam Parore (NZ) | 5 times |
| Matt Horne (NZ) | 5 times |
| Hashan Tillekeratne (SL) | 5 times |
| Carl Hooper (WI) | 5 times |
| Jonty Rhodes (SA) | 5 times |
| Michael Kasprowicz (Aus) | 5 times |
| Damien Martyn (Aus) | 5 times |
Kumble in each calendar year
| Year | Tests | Balls | Runs | Wkts | Ave | Best | 5WI | 10WM | SR | ER |
| 1990 | 1 | 360 | 170 | 3 | 56.67 | 3-105 | 0 | 0 | 120.00 | 47.22 |
| 1992 | 4 | 1373 | 440 | 17 | 25.88 | 6-53 | 1 | 0 | 80.76 | 32.05 |
| 1993 | 8 | 2840 | 1072 | 46 | 23.30 | 6-64 | 3 | 0 | 61.74 | 37.75 |
| 1994 | 7 | 1994 | 828 | 33 | 25.09 | 7-59 | 1 | 1 | 60.42 | 41.52 |
| 1995 | 3 | 434 | 152 | 10 | 15.20 | 5-81 | 1 | 0 | 43.40 | 35.02 |
| 1996 | 8 | 2337 | 938 | 29 | 32.34 | 5-67 | 1 | 0 | 80.59 | 40.14 |
| 1997 | 12 | 3494 | 1582 | 36 | 43.94 | 5-104 | 2 | 0 | 97.06 | 45.28 |
| 1998 | 5 | 1880 | 698 | 36 | 19.39 | 6-98 | 2 | 0 | 52.22 | 37.13 |
| 1999 | 10 | 3491 | 1461 | 54 | 27.06 | 10-74 | 4 | 2 | 64.65 | 41.85 |
| 2000 | 3 | 912 | 387 | 12 | 32.25 | 6-143 | 1 | 0 | 76.00 | 42.43 |
| 2001 | 5 | 1549 | 684 | 24 | 28.50 | 7-115 | 2 | 1 | 64.54 | 44.16 |
| 2002 | 10 | 3126 | 1356 | 49 | 27.67 | 5-30 | 2 | 0 | 63.80 | 43.38 |
| 2003 | 4 | 1545 | 765 | 21 | 36.43 | 6-176 | 2 | 0 | 73.57 | 49.51 |
| 2004 | 11 | 3422 | 1739 | 66 | 26.34 | 8-141 | 6 | 2 | 51.84 | 50.81 |
| TOTAL | 91 | 28757 | 12272 | 436 | 28.14 | 10-74 | 28 | 6 | 65.95 | 42.67 |
Kumble in each country
| Ground | Tests | Balls | Runs | Wkts | Ave. | Best | 5WI | 10WM | SR | ER |
| Adelaide | 2 | 756 | 386 | 9 | 42.89 | 5-154 | 1 | - | 84.00 | 51.06 |
| Melbourne | 2 | 626 | 369 | 8 | 46.13 | 6-176 | 1 | - | 78.25 | 58.95 |
| Sydney | 2 | 733 | 405 | 12 | 33.75 | 8-141 | 1 | 1 | 61.08 | 55.25 |
| Total in Australia | 6 | 2115 | 1160 | 29 | 40.00 | 8-141 | 3 | 1 | 72.93 | 54.85 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Dhaka | 1 | 83 | 45 | 2 | 22.50 | 2-45 | - | - | 41.50 | 54.21 |
| Total in Bangladesh | 1 | 83 | 45 | 2 | 22.50 | 2-45 | - | - | 41.50 | 54.21 |
| Ground | Tests | Balls | Runs | Wkts | Ave. | Best | 5WI | 10WM | SR | ER |
| Edgbaston | 1 | 174 | 86 | 1 | 86.00 | 1-77 | - | - | 174.00 | 49.43 |
| Headingley | 1 | 377 | 159 | 7 | 22.71 | 4-66 | - | - | 53.86 | 42.18 |
| Lord's | 2 | 872 | 362 | 9 | 40.22 | 3-84 | - | - | 96.89 | 41.51 |
| Old Trafford | 1 | 360 | 170 | 3 | 56.67 | 3-105 | - | - | 120.00 | 47.22 |
| The Oval | 1 | 270 | 133 | 1 | 133.00 | 1-105 | - | - | 270.00 | 49.26 |
| Trent Bridge | 1 | 234 | 98 | 1 | 98.00 | 1-98 | - | - | 234.00 | 41.88 |
| Total in England | 7 | 2287 | 1008 | 22 | 45.82 | 4-66 | - | - | 103.95 | 44.08 |
| Ground | Tests | Balls | Runs | Wkts | Ave. | Best | 5WI | 10WM | SR | ER |
| Ahmedabad | 5 | 1969 | 710 | 28 | 25.36 | 7-115 | 2 | 1 | 70.32 | 36.06 |
| Bangalore | 6 | 1792 | 833 | 34 | 24.50 | 6-98 | 3 | - | 52.71 | 46.48 |
| Calcutta | 6 | 2071 | 877 | 25 | 35.08 | 5-62 | 1 | - | 82.84 | 42.34 |
| Chennai | 6 | 1648 | 735 | 42 | 17.50 | 7-48 | 5 | 1 | 39.24 | 44.60 |
| Cuttack | 1 | 162 | 32 | 1 | 32.00 | 1-32 | - | - | 162.00 | 19.75 |
| Delhi | 4 | 1568 | 585 | 38 | 15.39 | 10-74 | 3 | 1 | 41.26 | 37.31 |
| Kanpur | 3 | 1114 | 415 | 21 | 19.76 | 6-67 | 2 | 1 | 53.05 | 37.25 |
| Lucknow | 1 | 387 | 128 | 11 | 11.64 | 7-59 | 1 | 1 | 35.18 | 33.07 |
| Mohali | 5 | 1570 | 698 | 21 | 33.24 | 6-81 | 1 | - | 74.76 | 44.46 |
| Mumbai WS | 6 | 1774 | 698 | 33 | 21.15 | 5-90 | 1 | - | 53.76 | 39.35 |
| Nagpur | 4 | 1145 | 509 | 18 | 28.28 | 5-63 | 1 | - | 63.61 | 44.45 |
| Total in India | 47 | 15200 | 6220 | 272 | 22.87 | 10-74 | 20 | 5 | 55.88 | 40.92 |
| Ground | Tests | Balls | Runs | Wkts | Ave. | Best | 5WI | 10WM | SR | ER |
| Hamilton | 2 | 737 | 290 | 5 | 58.00 | 2-124 | - | - | 147.40 | 39.35 |
| Wellington | 1 | 412 | 153 | 6 | 25.50 | 4-83 | - | - | 68.67 | 37.14 |
| Total in New Zealand | 3 | 1149 | 443 | 11 | 40.27 | 4-83 | - | - | 104.45 | 38.56 |
| Ground | Tests | Balls | Runs | Wkts | Ave. | Best | 5WI | 10WM | SR | ER |
| Lahore | 1 | 265 | 146 | 2 | 73.00 | 2-146 | - | - | 132.50 | 55.09 |
| Multan | 1 | 417 | 172 | 8 | 21.50 | 6-72 | 1 | - | 52.13 | 41.25 |
| Rawalpindi | 1 | 101 | 71 | 5 | 14.20 | 4-47 | - | - | 20.20 | 70.30 |
| Total in Pakistan | 3 | 783 | 389 | 15 | 25.93 | 6-72 | 1 | - | 52.20 | 49.68 |
| Ground | Tests | Balls | Runs | Wkts | Ave. | Best | 5WI | 10WM | SR | ER |
| Bloemfontein | 1 | 324 | 155 | 4 | 38.75 | 3-132 | - | - | 81.00 | 47.84 |
| Cape Town | 2 | 876 | 315 | 6 | 52.50 | 3-101 | - | - | 146.00 | 35.96 |
| Durban | 2 | 452 | 174 | 5 | 34.80 | 2-26 | - | - | 90.40 | 38.50 |
| Johannesburg | 2 | 708 | 216 | 12 | 18.00 | 6-53 | 1 | - | 59.00 | 30.51 |
| Port Elizabeth | 2 | 651 | 235 | 4 | 58.75 | 3-81 | - | - | 162.75 | 36.10 |
| Total in South Africa | 9 | 3011 | 1095 | 31 | 35.32 | 6-53 | 1 | - | 97.13 | 36.37 |
| Ground | Tests | Balls | Runs | Wkts | Ave. | Best | 5WI | 10WM | SR | ER |
| Colombo PSS | 1 | 470 | 203 | 5 | 40.60 | 3-108 | - | - | 94.00 | 43.19 |
| Colombo RPS | 1 | 432 | 223 | 1 | 223.00 | 1-223 | - | - | 432.00 | 51.62 |
| Colombo SSC | 3 | 1080 | 513 | 16 | 32.06 | 5-87 | 1 | - | 67.50 | 47.50 |
| Kandy | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total in Sri Lanka | 6 | 1982 | 939 | 22 | 42.68 | 5-87 | 1 | - | 90.09 | 47.38 |
| Ground | Tests | Balls | Runs | Wkts | Ave. | Best | 5WI | 10WM | SR | ER |
| Bridgetown | 1 | 96 | 44 | 1 | 44.00 | 1-44 | - | - | 96.00 | 45.83 |
| Georgetown | 2 | 295 | 175 | 3 | 58.33 | 2-145 | - | - | 98.33 | 59.32 |
| Kingston | 1 | 394 | 196 | 8 | 24.50 | 5-120 | 1 | - | 49.25 | 49.75 |
| Port-of-Spain | 1 | 474 | 213 | 7 | 30.43 | 5-104 | 1 | - | 67.71 | 44.94 |
| St. John's | 2 | 300 | 122 | 3 | 40.67 | 2-93 | - | - | 100.00 | 40.67 |
| Total in West Indies | 7 | 1559 | 750 | 22 | 34.09 | 5-104 | 2 | - | 70.86 | 48.11 |
| Ground | Tests | Balls | Runs | Wkts | Ave. | Best | 5WI | 10WM | SR | ER |
| Harare | 2 | 588 | 223 | 10 | 22.30 | 4-87 | - | - | 58.80 | 37.93 |
| Total in Zimbabwe | 2 | 588 | 223 | 10 | 22.30 | 4-87 | - | - | 58.80 | 37.93 |
| Ground | Tests | Balls | Runs | Wkts | Ave. | Best | 5WI | 10WM | SR | ER |
| Total abroad | 44 | 13557 | 6052 | 164 | 36.90 | 8-141 | 8 | 1 | 82.66 | 44.64 |
| Total in India | 47 | 15200 | 6220 | 272 | 22.87 | 10-74 | 20 | 5 | 55.88 | 40.92 |
| Grand Total | 91 | 28757 | 12272 | 436 | 28.14 | 10-74 | 28 | 6 | 65.95 | 42.67 |
Kumble in each series
| Opponent | Season | Tests | Balls | Runs | Wkts | Ave | Best | 5WI | 10WM | SR | ER |
| England* | 1990 | 1 | 360 | 170 | 3 | 56.67 | 3-105 | - | - | 120.00 | 47.22 |
| Zimbabwe* | 1992-93 | 1 | 266 | 94 | 3 | 31.33 | 3-79 | - | - | 88.67 | 35.34 |
| South Africa* | 1992-93 | 4 | 1527 | 467 | 18 | 25.94 | 6-53 | 1 | - | 84.83 | 30.58 |
| England | 1992-93 | 3 | 1086 | 416 | 21 | 19.81 | 6-64 | 1 | - | 51.71 | 38.31 |
| Zimbabwe | 1992-93 | 1 | 491 | 160 | 8 | 20.00 | 5-70 | 1 | - | 61.38 | 32.59 |
| Sri Lanka* | 1993-94 | 3 | 843 | 375 | 13 | 28.85 | 5-87 | 1 | - | 64.85 | 44.48 |
| Sri Lanka | 1993-94 | 3 | 819 | 317 | 18 | 17.61 | 7-59 | 1 | 1 | 45.50 | 38.71 |
| New Zealand* | 1993-94 | 1 | 300 | 102 | 2 | 51.00 | 1-34 | - | - | 150.00 | 34.00 |
| West Indies | 1994-95 | 3 | 875 | 409 | 13 | 31.46 | 4-90 | - | - | 67.31 | 46.74 |
| New Zealand | 1995-96 | 3 | 434 | 152 | 10 | 15.20 | 5-81 | 1 | - | 43.40 | 35.02 |
| England* | 1996 | 3 | 882 | 334 | 5 | 66.80 | 3-90 | - | - | 176.40 | 37.87 |
| Australia | 1996-97 | 1 | 390 | 130 | 9 | 14.44 | 5-67 | 1 | - | 43.33 | 33.33 |
| South Africa | 1996-97 | 3 | 877 | 387 | 13 | 29.77 | 4-71 | - | - | 67.46 | 44.13 |
| South Africa* | 1996-97 | 3 | 932 | 384 | 8 | 48.00 | 3-40 | - | - | 116.50 | 41.20 |
| West Indies* | 1996-97 | 5 | 1204 | 576 | 19 | 30.32 | 5-104 | 2 | - | 63.37 | 47.84 |
| Sri Lanka* | 1997-98 | 2 | 814 | 430 | 5 | 86.00 | 3-156 | - | - | 162.80 | 52.83 |
| Sri Lanka | 1997-98 | 3 | 732 | 279 | 6 | 46.50 | 3-56 | - | - | 122.00 | 38.11 |
| Australia | 1997-98 | 3 | 1146 | 416 | 23 | 18.09 | 6-98 | 2 | - | 49.83 | 36.30 |
| Zimbabwe* | 1998-99 | 1 | 322 | 129 | 7 | 18.43 | 4-87 | - | - | 46.00 | 40.06 |
| New Zealand* | 1998-99 | 2 | 849 | 341 | 9 | 37.89 | 4-83 | - | - | 94.33 | 40.16 |
| Pakistan | 1998-99 | 3 | 865 | 451 | 22 | 20.50 | 10-74 | 2 | 1 | 39.32 | 52.14 |
| Sri Lanka* | 1998-99 | 1 | 325 | 134 | 4 | 33.50 | 4-134 | - | - | 81.25 | 41.23 |
| New Zealand | 1999-00 | 3 | 1186 | 364 | 20 | 18.20 | 6-67 | 2 | 1 | 59.30 | 30.69 |
| Australia* | 1999-00 | 3 | 878 | 450 | 5 | 90.00 | 2-72 | - | - | 175.60 | 51.25 |
| South Africa | 1999-00 | 2 | 712 | 261 | 12 | 21.75 | 6-143 | 1 | - | 59.33 | 36.66 |
| South Africa* | 2001-02 | 2 | 552 | 244 | 5 | 48.80 | 3-132 | - | - | 110.40 | 44.20 |
| England | 2001-02 | 3 | 997 | 440 | 19 | 23.16 | 7-115 | 2 | 1 | 52.47 | 44.13 |
| Zimbabwe | 2001-02 | 2 | 806 | 291 | 16 | 18.19 | 5-63 | 1 | - | 50.38 | 36.10 |
| West Indies* | 2001-02 | 2 | 355 | 174 | 3 | 58.00 | 2-145 | - | - | 118.33 | 49.01 |
| England* | 2002 | 3 | 1045 | 504 | 14 | 36.00 | 4-66 | - | - | 74.64 | 48.23 |
| West Indies | 2002-03 | 3 | 920 | 387 | 16 | 24.19 | 5-30 | 1 | - | 57.50 | 42.07 |
| New Zealand | 2003-04 | 2 | 841 | 334 | 9 | 37.11 | 4-95 | - | - | 93.44 | 39.71 |
| Australia* | 2003-04 | 3 | 1237 | 710 | 24 | 29.58 | 8-141 | 3 | 1 | 51.54 | 57.40 |
| Pakistan* | 2003-04 | 3 | 783 | 389 | 15 | 25.93 | 6-72 | 1 | - | 52.20 | 49.68 |
| Australia | 2004-05 | 4 | 1185 | 685 | 27 | 25.37 | 7-48 | 3 | 1 | 43.89 | 57.81 |
| South Africa | 2004-05 | 2 | 838 | 341 | 10 | 34.10 | 6-131 | 1 | - | 83.80 | 40.69 |
| Bangladesh* | 2004-05 | 1 | 83 | 45 | 2 | 22.50 | 2-45 | - | - | 41.50 | 54.21 |
| TOTAL | | 91 | 28757 | 12272 | 436 | 28.14 | 10-74 | 28 | 6 | 65.95 | 42.67 |
Batting positions of victims
| Openers | #3 | #4 | #5 | #6 | #7 | #8 | #9 | #10 | #11 | 1-6% | 7-11% |
| 74 | 53 | 46 | 38 | 44 | 38 | 43 | 45 | 35 | 20 | 58.49 | 41.51 |
Batting styles of victims
| Wkts | Right | Left | Right% | Left% |
| 436 | 324 | 112 | 74.31% | 25.69% |
Runs scored by victims
| 0 | 1-24 | 25-49 | 50-89 | 90-99 | 100+ | 150+ | 200+ |
| 51 | 222 | 85 | 53 | 5 | 20 | 6 | 5 |
Wickets per innings
| Wickets | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| Innings | 15 | 34 | 24 | 35 | 21 | 12 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Performance result-wise
| | Tests | Balls | Runs | Wkts | Best | 5WI | 10WM | Ave | SR | ER |
| In matches won by India | 28 | 9116 | 3657 | 199 | 10-74 | 15 | 3 | 18.38 | 45.81 | 40.12 |
| in matches lost by India | 23 | 7113 | 3479 | 87 | 6-70 | 4 | 0 | 39.99 | 81.79 | 48.91 |
| In drawn matches | 39 | 12445 | 5091 | 148 | 8-141 | 9 | 3 | 34.40 | 84.09 | 40.91 |
Performance under different captains
| Captain | Tests | Balls | Runs | Wkts | Ave. | Best | 5WI | 10WM | SR | ER |
| Mohammad Azharuddin | 36 | 11390 | 4467 | 179 | 24.96 | 10-74 | 10 | 2 | 63.63 | 39.22 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 25 | 7725 | 3261 | 97 | 33.62 | 6-67 | 6 | 1 | 79.64 | 42.21 |
| Sourav Ganguly | 25 | 8138 | 3762 | 138 | 27.26 | 8-141 | 10 | 3 | 58.97 | 46.22 |
| Rahul Dravid | 5 | 1504 | 782 | 22 | 35.55 | 6-72 | 2 | 0 | 68.36 | 51.99 |
5 or more wickets in an innings (28)
| Wkts | Runs | Vs | Inns | Test | Venue | Series |
| 10 | 74 | Pak | 2nd | 2nd | Delhi | 1998-99 |
| 8 | 141 | Aus | 1st | 4th | Sydney | 2003-04 |
| 7 | 48 | Aus | 1st | 2nd | Chennai | 2004-05 |
| 7 | 59 | SL | 2nd | 1st | Lucknow | 1993-94 |
| 7 | 115 | Eng | 1st | 2nd | Ahmedabad | 2001-02 |
| 6 | 53 | SA | 2nd | 2nd | Johannesburg | 1992-93 |
| 6 | 64 | Eng | 2nd | 2nd | Chennai | 1992-93 |
| 6 | 67 | NZ | 2nd | 2nd | Kanpur | 1999-00 |
| 6 | 70 | Pak | 1st | 1st | Chennai | 1998-99 |
| 6 | 72 | Pak | 2nd | 1st | Multan | 2003-04 |
| 6 | 81 | Eng | 2nd | 1st | Mohali | 2001-02 |
| 6 | 98 | Aus | 1st | 3rd | Bangalore | 1997-98 |
| 6 | 131 | SA | 1st | 1st | Kanpur | 2004-05 |
| 6 | 133 | Aus | 2nd | 2nd | Chennai | 2004-05 |
| 6 | 143 | SA | 1st | 2nd | Bangalore | 1999-00 |
| 6 | 176 | Aus | 1st | 3rd | Melbourne | 2003-04 |
| 5 | 30 | WI | 1st | 2nd | Chennai | 2002-03 |
| 5 | 62 | Aus | 2nd | 2nd | Kolkata | 1997-98 |
| 5 | 63 | Zim | 2nd | 1st | Nagpur | 2001-02 |
| 5 | 67 | Aus | 2nd | 1st | Delhi | 1996-97 |
| 5 | 70 | Zim | 2nd | 1st | Delhi | 1992-93 |
| 5 | 81 | NZ | 2nd | 1st | Bangalore | 1995-96 |
| 5 | 82 | NZ | 1st | 3rd | Ahmedabad | 1999-00 |
| 5 | 87 | SL | 1st | 2nd | Colombo (SSC) | 1993-94 |
| 5 | 90 | Aus | 1st | 4th | Mumbai WS | 2004-05 |
| 5 | 104 | WI | 1st | 2nd | Port-of-Spain | 1996-97 |
| 5 | 120 | WI | 1st | 1st | Kingston | 1996-97 |
| 5 | 154 | Aus | 1st | 2nd | Adelaide | 2003-04 |
10 or more wickets in a match (6)
| Wkts | Runs | Vs | Test | Venue | Series | 1st | 2nd |
| 14 | 149 | Pak | 2nd | Delhi | 1998-99 | 4-75 | 10-74 |
| 13 | 181 | Aus | 2nd | Chennai | 2004-05 | 7-48 | 6-133 |
| 12 | 279 | Aus | 4th | Sydney | 2003-04 | 8-141 | 4-138 |
| 11 | 128 | SL | 1st | Lucknow | 1993-94 | 4-69 | 7-59 |
| 10 | 134 | NZ | 2nd | Kanpur | 1999-00 | 4-67 | 6-67 |
| 10 | 233 | Eng | 2nd | Ahmedabad | 2001-02 | 7-115 | 3-118 |
Kumble v Kapil (Match by match)
| | Kapil | Kumble |
| After 10 Tests | 29 | 53 |
| After 20 Tests | 70 | 99 |
| After 30 Tests | 124 | 136 |
| After 40 Tests | 155 | 168 |
| After 50 Tests | 200 | 220 |
| After 60 Tests | 240 | 270 |
| After 70 Tests | 264 | 319 |
| After 80 Tests | 291 | 370 |
| After 85 Tests | 303 | 400 |
| After 90 Tests | 316 | 434 |
Kumble v Kapil (Tests taken to reach each progressive milestone of 50 wickets)
| | Kapil | Kumble |
| 50 wickets | 16 | 10 |
| 100 wickets | 25 | 21 |
| 150 wickets | 39 | 34 |
| 200 wickets | 50 | 47 |
| 250 wickets | 65 | 55 |
| 300 wickets | 83 | 66 |
| 350 wickets | 100 | 77 |
| 400 wickets | 115 | 85 |
Top 10 Indian bowlers
| Wkts | Bowler | Tests | Balls | Runs | Ave | Best | SR | ER | 5WI | 10WM |
| 436 | A Kumble | 91 | 28757 | 12272 | 28.14 | 10-74 | 65.95 | 42.67 | 28 | 6 |
| 434 | Kapil Dev | 131 | 27740 | 12867 | 29.65 | 9-83 | 63.92 | 46.38 | 23 | 2 |
| 266 | BS Bedi | 67 | 21364 | 7637 | 28.71 | 7-98 | 80.32 | 35.75 | 14 | 1 |
| 242 | BS Chandrasekhar | 58 | 15963 | 7199 | 29.75 | 8-79 | 65.96 | 45.10 | 16 | 2 |
| 236 | J Srinath | 67 | 15104 | 7196 | 30.49 | 8-86 | 64.00 | 47.64 | 10 | 1 |
| 189 | EAS Prasanna | 49 | 14353 | 5742 | 30.38 | 8-76 | 75.94 | 40.01 | 10 | 2 |
| 185 | Harbhajan Singh | 42 | 11447 | 5133 | 27.74 | 8-84 | 61.87 | 44.84 | 15 | 3 |
| 162 | MH Mankad | 44 | 14686 | 5236 | 32.32 | 8-52 | 90.65 | 35.65 | 8 | 2 |
| 156 | S Venkataraghavan | 57 | 14877 | 5634 | 36.12 | 8-72 | 95.37 | 37.87 | 3 | 1 |
| 151 | RJ Shastri | 80 | 15751 | 6185 | 40.96 | 5-75 | 104.31 | 39.27 | 2 | 0 |
Ahead of Kumble in all Test cricket
| Wkts | Bowler | For | Tests | Balls | Runs | Ave | Best | SR | ER | 5WI | 10WM |
| 552 | SK Warne | Aus | 117 | 32902 | 14102 | 25.55 | 8-71 | 59.60 | 42.86 | 28 | 8 |
| 532 | M Muralitharan | SL | 91 | 31124 | 12165 | 22.87 | 9-51 | 58.51 | 39.08 | 44 | 13 |
| 519 | CA Walsh | WI | 132 | 30019 | 12688 | 24.45 | 7-37 | 57.84 | 42.27 | 22 | 3 |
| 463 | GD McGrath | Aus | 103 | 24109 | 10049 | 21.70 | 8-38 | 52.07 | 41.68 | 24 | 3 |