During the 2003/04 tour of Australia, India players came up with collective individual performances that pushed Steve Waugh’s side to the brink. Here is a look at one of them.

Having missed the 2001 series at home with a shoulder injury, when reached the Australia shores in 2004, Kumble was left warming the bench at Brisbane. Under Sourav Ganguly, Harbhajan Singh had emerged as the frontline spinner. And given the off-spinner’s record against Australia, the chances of Kumble playing a game appeared remote. But an injury to the off-spinner, would open the door for Kumble’s inclusion at Adelaide and by the time the series ended in Sydney, he would reinforce his tag as the frontline spinner.

After five wicket hauls at Adelaide and Melbourne, it was at Sydney that Kumble really had his tail up. With India’s batsmen giving him the cushion of 705 runs, Kumble would soon dictate the pace of the game on Day 3. After Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer put on 147-run stand for the first wicket, Kumble would patiently hunt for his wickets. Simon Katich would offer sole resistance, but on a flat deck Kumble’s mastery of art combined with his varied pace would bowl Australia to 474.

Having seen Australia batsmen rely extensively on sweep, he wouldn’t give them that luxury at Sydney with Ricky Ponting undone by a quicker one and Damien Martyn beat in flight. And despite a big lead, India would bat again, a move that would deny them the time to push for a win in the fourth innings. With 443 to get, India would open with Kumble who in his 42 overs will account for four wickets. When he prized out Hayden and Martyn, a victory seemed possible, but Steve Waugh would ensure his captaincy tenure ended without a series loss at home, with a 159-ball 80.

Kumble’s match figures read: 12/279.