The third Test match between India and New Zealand was place in Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. When both teams faced off at the same location in 2021, Kiwi spinner Ajaz Patel produced his career-best figure by scalping all Indian hitters in the first innings. He ended his stint with ten for 119. He took four wickets in the second innings and fourteen wickets in the second Test.
Almost three years later, he had a memorable excursion in the back of his mind when he approached Day 2 of the Mumbai Wankhede Test on November 2.
He had taken two wickets on Day 1 and was immediately on the job as the surface emanated spin. He improved from Day 1 and took three key wickets on Day 2 to finish with 5/103.
It is worth noting that Ajaz is of Indian descent and was born in Mumbai before immigrating to New Zealand. On the opening day, he took the wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Mohammed Siraj. On Day 2, he dismissed Sarfaraz Khan, Shubman Gill, and Ravichandran Ashwin to help India finish on 263 with a 28-run lead.
For India, the third test is far more important. They lost the first two games of the series, as well as their first Test series defeat at home since 2012. They don’t want to break another record by winning in Mumbai. The Indian side was last whitewashed in home Tests against South Africa in 2000.
Also Read: ‘He must be kicking himself’- Aakash Chopra on Yashasvi Jaiswal’s dismissal in Mumbai Test
They’ve held the record for more than 24 years, and a victory would preserve it immaculate heading into the critical Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to Ajaz Patel’s spell:
Ajaz Patel is on fire.🔥🔥🔥
Ajaz Patel – 5 wickets in 21.4 oversWhat a good bowling has been done by Ajaz Patel, he has taken 5 wickets .Ajaz Patel is from India who plays for New Zealand.
India batting is over, India leads by 28 runs.
— Md Altamash Ayub التمش ایوب (@Altamashayub1) November 2, 2024
Ajaz Patel has taken 19 wickets, the most by a visiting bowler on a ground in India. pic.twitter.com/Mu8wfjnZw3
— The sports (@the_sports_x) November 2, 2024
INDIA all out on 263
Lead by 28 Runs
Fifer for Ajaz Patel
Lets see what NZ do in batting. #IndiaVsNewZealand #INDvNZ #INDvsNZTEST #Day2 #cricketupdates pic.twitter.com/ceswYZ0U1Y
— Known As KT (@known_as_KT) November 2, 2024
He loves bowling at the Wankhede!
Ajaz Patel gets his 6th Test five-wicket haul. INDvNZ24-Test3 | #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/IQ0ORj67bg
— B.L. Choudhary (@BL_choudhay92) November 2, 2024
In Pune – Indian batter can’t play against Santner
In Mumbai – Ajaz Patel
Next time do not say India is best against Spinner #INDvNZ
— Rockz☜ (@Rockz055) November 2, 2024
Most wickets by a visiting bowler at a venue in India
22 Ian Botham at Wankhede
19 Ajaz Patel at Wankhede
18 Richie Benaud at Eden Gardens
17 Courtney Walsh at Wankhede#INDvNZ #NZvsIND #WTC2025 #WTC25 pic.twitter.com/74DJ7Swqmc— Hashir Khan (@hashir215) November 2, 2024
Ajaz Patel x Wankhede Stadium #INDvNZ #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/k8wVBDUEz3
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) November 2, 2024
Ajaz Patel x Wankhede Stadium #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/y36afvHfMf
— Dilbag Koundal ਦਿਲਬਾਗ ਕੌਂਡਲ 🇮🇳 (@dilbag_koundal) November 2, 2024
6th 5-fer in Tests for Ajaz Patel 5/103. Excellent spell.#INDvNZ @CentralStags @AjazP
— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan) November 2, 2024
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