IND vs NZ 2nd Test: New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel on Saturday said that the stars aligned for him to pick all 10 Test wickets in a single innings against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
After taking four wickets on Friday, the left-arm spinner took six more wickets on Saturday to become the third bowler after Jim Laker and Anil Kumble to achieve the rare feat.
A delighted Ajaz Patel had nothing to rue except for the absence of his family members in the stands.
“Quite a special occasion for me and not just me but my family. Unfortunately for me, they’re not here because of COVID. Honestly, it’s surreal and to be able to do that in my career is pretty special. The stars have aligned for me to do it in Mumbai,” Ajaz told host broadcaster Star Sports.
IND vs NZ 2nd Test: Ajaz Patel says ‘stars aligned in his favour to take all 10 wickets’
“I’m in very illustrious company with Kumble sir as well. Obviously, not a great start for us, but we have a few boys in the shed and put on some runs,” he added.
Patel returned with figures of 10 for 119 in 47.5 overs as India were bowled out for 325 in the first innings. Mayank Agarwal top-scored with a knock of 150.
Special piece of history for @AjazP in Mumbai.
🏏 3rd best figures in TEST HISTORY.
🇳🇿 NZ’s best-ever Test figures.
🌏 First player to take 10 wickets in an innings away from home.#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/4TyqqXPuRa— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 4, 2021
IND vs NZ 2nd Test: Ajaz Patel says ‘stars aligned in his favour to take all 10 wickets’
As soon as Ajaz picked up his tenth wicket, everyone in the stadium including India’s Ravichandran Ashwin stood up to give a standing ovation to the Kiwi spinner, recognising the remarkable feat of the Mumbai-born.
Earlier, Australia’s Jim Laker was the first cricketer to scalp 10 wickets in a Test innings in 1956 and that was followed by India’s Anil Kumble in 1999 against Pakistan.
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