Gritty Anil Kumble's top five rearguard batting

1. 110* vs England (Pataudi trophy, London, 2007)

When Kumble reached the milestone, this is what Harsha Bhogle had to say, “It is perhaps the most romantic moment of Indian cricket.”

It was that type of a test match where one side dominates the other from the onset itself. All of India’s batsmen chipped in with valuable contributions and the score was past 400 before Kumble came in to bat at no. 8. India had already got four 50-plus partnerships and a 100-plus partnership. But the best part of the innings was yet to come. It was a moment to watch when the 36-year old reached his maiden test ton with the 9 wickets down and last man Sreesanth at the other end. The Oval crowd gave a standing ovation to the veteran, who was experiencing his proudest moment on the cricket field as a batsman.

Kumble was unbeaten at 110 when the innings ended at 664 after a last wicket stand of 73 runs off 80 deliveries, he having stayed at the crease for the last 247 runs that were scored. He struck 16 boundaries, and also a six off Monty Panesar. The game ended in a draw, after England had got 369/6 chasing 500 to win. Kumble also claimed 5 scalps in the game, and was rightly given man of the match. As a result of this draw, India won the Pataudi trophy 1-0. Dravid was the winning captain and Zaheer Khan and James Anderson got the Man of the Series award jointly.