Ajaz Patel becomes leading wicket-taker by a visiting bowler at a single venue in India during IND vs NZ 2024 Test series
New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel has become the leading wicket-taker by a visiting bowler at a venue in India following two Tests at the Wankhede Stadium in India. Having taken 25 scalps in only two Tests at the venue, the left-arm spinner has now become the highest wicket-taker by a visiting bowler in a single ground in India, an effort headlined by a couple of fifers.
Ajaz had created history during the 2021 tour of India when he took ten wickets in an innings, becoming only the third cricketer to achieve the feat. The veteran spinner had struggled in the first two Tests of the ongoing series but came to the fore after Mitchell Santner was ruled out due to a side strain. He took five wickets in the first innings to help restrict Team India to 263.
With a tricky yet modest 147 to defend, Ajaz stepped up again, getting rid of the likes of Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant. The southpaw also closed out the game by shattering the stumps of Washington Sundar.
"Spin bowling is about rhythm" - Ajaz Patel on his mantra for success
The veteran, who took a staggering 11 wickets to push the Black Caps to victory, suggested that the post-lunch session on day two was the turning point for him. He explained:
"Spin bowling is about rhythm. When you are in rhythm it is about making the most of it, taking it by the horns and helping your team. I felt confident even in the morning session [on day two] but the wicket did not offer me much. After lunch, I got the confidence to toss it up and use my guile."
New Zealand also became the first team to inflict a 3-0 series whitewash on Team India in their backyard. With the result, Tom Latham and Co. have climbed to fourth in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table.