To understand the significance of the great performance, it was necessary to see the relationship between two countries from a socio-political standpoint. The infiltration of Pakistani soldiers disguised as Kashmiri militants into positions on the Indian side of the Line of Control and the subsequent Kargil War that broke out in the next month made it a point for the ultra-nationalistic parties to have a campaign so strong that it threatened to break the cricketing relations between two countries. But it was surprising in a way for the kind of adulation the Wasim Akram-led side had got in just the previous game in front of the Chennai crowd. It was a moment in cricket history that moved the sport from its usual framework and established the very essence of it by carrying it beyond the confines of nationalism. 

In Chennai, the game was a classic topsy-turvy ride. After being bowled out for 238 on the first day, Pakistan restricted India to 254. A Shahid Afridi masterclass threatened to take the match away before Venkatesh Prasad spearheaded a great collapse, sinking Pakistan from 275 for 4 to 286 all out. Sachin Tendulkar was the last hope and he battled hard in the fourth innings, but the heat and humidity of Chennai sapped the energy out of him, and a hopeless India lost the game by 12 runs, losing the last four wickets for four runs. Things have been sad for the Indian team dressing room but the Chennai crowd rose on their feet to applaud, Pakistan got the cue and joined them for a lap of honour. It was the stunning turning point in the series, especially after the Indian fundamentalists threatened to disrupt the tour. 

As Rahul Bhattacharya, in his book “Pundits of Pakistan” wrote, “Sport is able to sum up life, able to strip it bare and put it under a drama-filled magnifying glass. And through this magnifying glass, we are able to see ourselves, vividly, able to see, like they sometimes say of the arts, our condition.” Each line held true for the Indian fans that day present at the Kotla and countless others at their living room, clubs, pan shops and rooftop arrangements, as Kumble dismissed Shahid Afridi. One after another, the line to pavilion became a Kumble entity, with hardly anyone squabbling for the ultimate prize for a bowler, with only Englishman Jim Laker having the distinction. 

Akram was stoic at one end, but the Mushtaq duo of Saqlain and Ahmed pressed the panic button way too early, which made way for Waqar Younis. The game was already lost with Kumble going for the historic feat. It was going to be an emotional triumph against their great arch-rivals on a pitch that had to be repaired after it was vandalised by members of a political party. Like it was prepared for Kumble, he was having the time of his life when the ball beckoned.