Ajaz Patel sets a new world record at Wankhede; achieves multiple milestones in 3rd Test
Published - 03 Nov 2024, 02:36 PM | Updated - 03 Nov 2024, 11:36 PM
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New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel has etched his name in the record books by claiming the most wickets by a visiting bowler at a single venue in India. The left-arm finger spinner is now an overseas bowler with the most wickets on a single ground in India.
The 36-year-old achieved the feat during the ongoing third and final Test between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday (November 3). With a total of 25 wickets at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium, Ajaz Patel has now surpassed England’s Ian Botham, who took 22 wickets, at the same venue to achieve the feat.
Australia’s Richie Benaud holds third spot with 18 wickets at Eden Gardens, while West Indies' Courtney Walsh follows with 17 at the Wankhede Stadium. Benaud made the list twice with 16 wickets in Chennai’s Nehru Stadium.
Most wickets by a visiting bowler at a venue in India:
25: Ajaz Patel at Wankhede
22: Ian Botham at Wankhede
18: Richie Benaud at Eden Gardens
17: Courtney Walsh at Wankhede
16: Richie Benaud at Chennai
Meanwhile, Ajaz Patel has joined an elite group of New Zealand bowlers by becoming only the third from his country to achieve multiple ten-wicket match hauls after Richard Hadlee (9), and Daniel Vettori (3).
Ajaz Patel joins an elite company with multiple ten-wicket hauls in India
Additionally, the left-arm spinner becomes the only second bowler to claim multiple ten-wicket hauls in India after Pakistan’s Saqlain Mushtaq during their 1999 tour. Ajaz also became the only third New Zealand spinner to take two five-wicket hauls in a single Test match.
Notably, New Zealand spinners who have taken two five-wicket hauls in a single Test include Daniel Vettori, who achieved this feat twice—first with figures of 5/62 and 7/87 against Australia in Auckland in 2000, and later with 6/70 and 6/100 against Bangladesh in Chattogram in 2004.
Most recently, Mitchell Santner recorded 7/53 and 6/104 against India in the Pune Test, and now Ajaz joined the elite list with his impressive 5/103 and 5/52 against India at Wankhede Stadium.
On the other hand, in a historic moment, the Mumbai Test has marked the first time a left-arm spinner has taken five wickets across four innings. Ravindra Jadeja led with 5/65 in the first inning, followed by Ajaz Patel’s 5/103 in the second.
'Spin bowling is about rhythm'
In the third innings, Jadeja again struck with 5/55, and Ajaz returned with another six-for in the fourth inning at the Wankhede Stadium. Ajaz Patel said after winning the Player of the Match award: “Spin bowling is about rhythm. When you're in such a rhythm, you'll have to make the most of it."
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Ajaz Patel India National Cricket Team New Zealand National Cricket Team India vs New Zealand ICC World Test Championship IND vs NZ
