Mumbai-born left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel on Saturday entered the record books as he became only the third bowler in the 144-year-old history of Test cricket to take all 10 wickets in an innings on the second day of the second match against India in Mumbai. (More Cricket News)
Patel, who had migrated to New Zealand with his parents back in 1996, ended the Indian innings with figures of 47.5-12-119-10 to equal England great Jim Laker and Indian legend Anil Kumble, who had achieved the rarest of rare feat in Test cricket.
"Obviously, it's quite a special occasion for me; not only me, my wife, my mom and dad, my family. A 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," Ajaz Patel said during the Tea break.
The 33-year-old Patel, who is playing in his 11th Test, had only two five-wicket hauls and the best match haul of seven wickets before Saturday's feat. Earlier, Ajaz Patel took all the four Indian wickets that fell on the first day.
More than the historic feat, Ajaz is elated to be in the same company as legendary former Indian spinner Anil Kumble. "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, then come back here and achieve something like that is pretty special. I am on very illustrious company with Kumble sir as well," said Ajaz. Kumble also congratulated Ajaz on the feat on Twitter.
He bowled four separate spells of 24-10-57-4, 5-0-16-0, 6-0-16-2, 12.5-2-30-4 and got his 10th and final wicket in the form of Mohammed Siraj, who tried a slog and was caught by another player of Indian origin Rachin Ravindra.
Patel got a standing ovation from the Indian team as the umpires handed him the coveted ball while leading his team off the field. Incidentally, Patel is the second player after Douglas Jardine, who has played against India in his city of birth.
Ajaz's figures also make him the best among the visiting spinners in India. The previous bests were from Australians Nathan Lyon (8/50) in 2017 and Jason Krejza (8/215) in 2008. Krejza's figures came in the match which was also former India captain Sourav Ganguly's last in Test cricket. Ganguly is now the BCCI president.
By taking all the 10 wickets, Ajaz Patel also recorded the best bowling figures in a Test innings against India. West Indies' Jack Noreiga (9/95) held the record previously which he achieved in Port of Spain in 1971.
