Ajaz Patel Dominates at Wankhede: New Zealand Spinner Enters Top 10 Wicket-Takers List

Ajaz Patel, the Mumbai-born New Zealand spinner, has once again made history at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. In the ongoing third Test against India, Patel has taken 19 wickets in just three innings, placing him in the top 10 list of wicket-takers at this iconic venue. This remarkable feat includes a five-wicket haul in India’s first innings, where he finished with figures of 5/103.

Patel’s performance is particularly noteworthy given his connection to the city. Born in Mumbai, he has shown a remarkable affinity for the Wankhede pitch. In December 2021, he achieved the rare feat of taking 10 wickets in a single innings, joining an elite group that includes Jim Laker and Anil Kumble. His current tally at Wankhede surpasses many Indian legends, including BS Chandrasekhar, Bishan Singh Bedi, and Javagal Srinath.

On the second day of the third Test, Patel’s bowling was instrumental in dismissing India for 263. He removed key batsmen such as Shubman Gill, Sarfaraz Khan, and R Ashwin, despite India’s initial resistance led by Rishabh Pant‘s counter-attacking 60.

Looking ahead to the remainder of the match, Patel expressed his intention to bat for as long as possible to extend New Zealand’s lead. He noted that the pitch is turning sharply and inconsistently, which could pose a significant challenge for India’s batsmen during the chase. Patel emphasized the importance of waiting for the pitch to dry out and start turning again, which could give New Zealand an advantage.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s seasoned spinner, acknowledged the difficulty of the task ahead for India’s batsmen and expressed hope that India could wrap up New Zealand’s innings quickly to minimize the target they need to chase.