IND vs NZ: Ajaz Patel sweats it out in Mumbai to prepare for India Test series

New Zealand's spinner Ajaz Patel is working hard for the team's upcoming Test series against India. According to the reports, Patel trained at the MIG Cricket Club in Mumbai and bowled nearly 10-12 overs.

New Zealand will play a three-match Test series in India. The series will begin on October 16 with Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai as the hosts of the three Tests. They are coming into this series on the back of a 0-2 series defeat in Sri Lanka.

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Ajaz Patel sweats it out in Mumbai to prepare for India Test series

Ajaz Patel was in India in September for the one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand, which was washed out due to persistent rain and a wet outfield in Greater Noida.

During that time, he had requested Datta Mithbavkar, the local manager for the Afghanistan team in that match, to arrange a training facility in Mumbai before New Zealand's Test series against India. Mithbavkar is also from Mumbai himself.

Recently, during an interaction with TOI, Mithbavkar revealed Patel's request and explained how a training facility was arranged for New Zealand's left-arm spinner.

“Ajaz (Patel) had requested me at that time if he could get a facility to practice in Mumbai since he would arrive a bit earlier to meet his relatives in the city. He wanted an outdoor facility, and wanted to practice on a spin-friendly wicket," Mithbavkar said.

"After that, he was in touch with me. It was Nilesh Bhosle (Mumbai Cricket Association Apex Council member), who organised a practice session for Ajaz at the MIG Club. He trained for almost 90 minutes and bowled 10-12 overs," he added.

Ajaz Patel gives valuable tips to emerging cricketers

Datta also mentioned that Ajaz gave some crucial advice to various players in the nets and shared his vast experience at the international level.

"He (Patel) bowled to former India Under-19 allrounder Vaibhav Ankolekar and was impressed with his batting. He gave him tips on bowling left-arm spin too. I had also asked a few young local players, including a couple of left-arm spinners from my academy, to be present and he shared bowling tips with them too,” Datta was quoted as saying by TOI.

Ajaz Patel has a special connection with Mumbai as he was born in the city. He also has his relatives in the city currently. Notably, his parents migrated to New Zealand several years ago and gained citizenship in New Zealand.

Ajaz Patel's record in Mumbai

The 35-year-old has great memories in Mumbai not just in terms of his personal life but his professional life as well. He picked a historic 10-wicket haul in an innings in the last Test between India and New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium.

Patel became only the third bowler to achieve this milestone after Jim Laker and Anil Kumble as he finished with figures of 10-119 in the first innings of the Mumbai Test played in December 2021.

Ajaz Patel played the two Tests against New Zealand recently in which he picked up 8 wickets at an average of 35.62. The last Test of this series will be played on the same ground in which he claimed 10 wickets in an innings. He will look to repeat that performance this time around.