IND vs NZ 2021: Obviously Quite A Special Occasion For Me- Ajaz Patel

New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel was quite ecstatic after his unbelievable 10-wicket haul on Day 2 of the second Test against India in Mumbai. The Kiwi left-arm slow bowler ran through the Indian batting order to achieve figures of 10/119.

He joined an elite club of bowlers – Anil Kumble and Jim Laker – who have taken all 10 wickets in a Test innings. With his help, New Zealand was able to restrict India to 325.

“Obviously quite a special occasion for me; not only me, my wife, my mom and dad, my family. A very special day for me for sure. To be honest, it’s pretty surreal, I don’t think you ever believe you are going to achieve something like that.”

“To be able to do that in my career is pretty special. By the grace of God, I am very fortunate, the stars have aligned for me, having an occasion like that here in Mumbai. To be born here and then come back here and achieve something like that is pretty special,” Ajaz said after the splendid performance.

“I am in very illustrious company with Kumble sir” – Ajaz Patel

The previous bowler to take 10 wickets in an innings was Anil Kumble. He achieved the feat against Pakistan in New Delhi back in 1999. He ended with figures of 10/74, the second-best figures in Tests after Jim Laker’s 10/53 against Australia in 1956.

“I am in very illustrious company with Kumble sir as well. Hasn’t been a great start for us with the bat, but we’ve still got a few boys in the shed, so hopefully, we put our best foot forward and put a few runs on the board.”

“If we have to come back here, we have to get back here. It’s part of our job, we enjoy the challenges. (Most special wicket?) Don’t really have anyone in particular, it’s just about finding good rhythm and just being repetitive and asking good questions of the batters,” Ajaz further added.

Although it was an excellent day in the field for Ajaz, his team couldn’t back him up with the bat as they folded up for 62 in reply.

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