New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel scripts history as he took all 10 wickets to fall in India’s first innings in Mumbai, on day 2 of the second Test at the Wankhede Stadium. The left-arm spinner has become only the third bowler after Jim Laker and Anil Kumble in Test history to have taken all 10 wickets in an innings. He bowled 47.5 overs, gave away only 119 runs on his way to achieve the historic feat.
Ajaz Patel was born in Mumbai on October 21, 1988. then shifted to Auckland with his family at the age of 8 and started playing club cricket there. In his starting days, he used to ball fast. But, one day he told his coach that he wants to try spin bowling. So, he tried and bowled quite well. And from there on, he never looked back. He used to bowl 1000 balls per day in the nets.
“I was more of a school and home guy. I did not have too many friends to play the game in the streets or the nearby ground and we were just finding our feet in the new country. Used to play cricket when I was a child in Mumbai with my cousins and friends in school,” he told New Zealand Herald before making his debut two years ago.
But, the Auckland team had quality spinners at that time and he used to get very few chances to play. So, his coach decided to shift him to Napier. It was hard for Ajaz as he never lived away from his family, so in his starting days in Napier, he suffered from homesickness.
‘This is what dreams are made of’: Ajaz Patel
Ajaz was the highest wicket-taker in the Plunkett Shield for three successive seasons from 2015/16. With such a strong performance behind him, the international call-up was almost on the door and it came in late 2018 when Patel was selected for the tour to the UAE to play Pakistan. He didn’t disappoint, as he took a fifer in his debut match, at Abu-Dhabi. The 33-year-old made his Test debut against Pakistan in 2018. Two weeks before his red-ball debut, he played his maiden T20I against the Men in Green.
And now after Twenty-five years, he left Mumbai, New Zealand’s India-born spinner Ajaz Patel achieved the historic feat at his birthplace. Life has come full circle for Ajaz Patel. Now when he’ll think back to the decision he made as an 18-year-old to drop bowling fast and turn to spin, he’ll be very proud. Ajaz was also a member of the New Zealand squad, who won the World test Championship in June this year.
“Quite a special occasion for me and not just me but my family. Unfortunately for me, they’re not here because of COVID-19. 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. I’m in very illustrious company with Kumble sir as well,” said Ajaz after achieving the historic feat.