The other bowlers to have already achieved the 500-wicket feat are Shane Warne (Australia - 659), Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka- 600), Glenn McGrath (Australia- 542) and Courtney Walsh (West Indies- 519). 

The Indian leg-spinner, scourge of batsman the world over and the architect of so many Indian victories at home and abroad, emerged the second fastest to complete the 500-wicket mark in terms of number of Tests played. 

The current Test at the PCA Stadium is the wily spinner’s 105th match.

Warne, the leading wicket-taker in Test history, is way ahead of other bowler with 659 scalps in his kitty. Muralitharan joined Warne as only the second bowler in the history of the game to cross the 600-wicket mark during the Bogra Test against minnows Bangladesh.

In quest of the rare honour, Kumble started the proceedings today with pacer Munaf Patel. Though he came close to taking a wicket on a couple of occasions, the Karnataka leggie went wicketless in th pre-lunch session. But he triggered a batting collapse immediately after the lunch break. Operating with the new ball with Munaf, Kumble castled Jones to reach the figure of 499. Then he got rid of Harmison and Panesar to take his tally to 501. Kumble’s second spell read 1.4-0-2-3.

For someone who made his Test debut in 1990 at Old Trafford, it has been a peerless saga of success achieved through sheer determination and hard work. During the 16 years that he has been on the international stage for the country, Kumble has numerous occasions to cherish, the foremost among these being the 10-wicket haul against arch-rivals Pakistan at Ferozeshah Kotla. Though he has lost berth in the one-day squad, Kumble is a vital component in the Test squad. Kapil Dev with 434 wickets is the second highest wicket-taker for India in Tests.

An ecstatic Kumble later said it was his self belief, perseverance and support by team-mates which kept him going. “There were doubts created by various people but I never doubted my abilities,” he said.

“It is a great feeling to be able to reach the milestone as the first Indian and only the fifth bowler in the history of the game. I owe it to all the cricketers I have played with,” he observed.

                      O      M     R    W    Ave   BBI    5  10    SR  Econ
Bowling            4311.2 1084 10812  382  28.30 10-74   23   5  67.7  2.50

ONE-DAY INTERNATIONALS
 (including 06/02/2004)
                      M    I  NO  Runs   HS     Ave     SR 100  50   Ct  St
Batting & Fielding  251  124  42   867   26   10.57  62.06   0   0   83   0

                      O      M     R    W    Ave   BBI   4w  5w    SR  Econ
Bowling            2236.3  102  9530  315  30.25  6-12    8   2  42.6  4.26

FIRST-CLASS
 (1989/90 - 2003/04; last updated 06/02/2004)
                      M    I  NO  Runs   HS     Ave 100  50   Ct  St
Batting & Fielding  181  233  46  4348  154*  23.25   6  15   87   0

                      O      M     R    W    Ave   BBI    5  10    SR  Econ
Bowling            8198.5 2143 20464  840  24.36 10-74   57  15  58.5  2.49

LIST A LIMITED OVERS
 (1989/90 - 2003/04; last updated 06/02/2004)
                      M    I  NO  Runs   HS     Ave 100  50   Ct  St
Batting & Fielding  354  188  66  1348   30*  11.04   0   0  120   0

                      O      M     R    W    Ave   BBI   4w  5w    SR  Econ
Bowling            3142    169 13046  485  26.89  6-12   14   3  38.8  4.15