MUMBAI: New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel became only the third bowler in Test cricket history to take 10 wickets in an innings as he dismissed India in his birth city of Mumbai.
Left-armer Patel – who emigrated with his family as a child – matched the feat of India off-spinner Anil Kumble against Pakistan in Delhi in 1999 and England off-spinner Jim Laker against Australia at Old Trafford in 1956.
Patel’s milestone moment came when India tailender Mohammed Siraj top-edged a slog-sweep to Rachin Ravindra on the second afternoon of the second Test at Wankhede Stadium.
Patel finished with 10-119 from 47.5 overs as India were all out for 325 in 109.5 overs in their first innings – before New Zealand were skittled for just 62 in 28.1 overs in reply to concede a first-innings deficit of 263, which India increased to 332 by the close of play.
Siraj (three for 19) dismissed three of the top four Black Caps batters, including Ross Taylor (one), while Ravichandran Ashwin snared four for eight as only Tom Latham (10) and Kyle Jamieson (17) reached double figures.
Mayank Agarwal (38no) and Cheteshwar Pujara (39no) guided India to 69-0 at the close, with the hosts now well on course to win the game and take the two-match series 1-0.
Patel’s first-innings victims included Virat Kohli, Pujara and Ravichandran Ashwin for ducks, as well as top-scorer Agarwal (150) and namesake Axar Patel (52).
Speaking after his 10-wicket haul, Patel said: “It is pretty surreal. I don’t think you ever really believe that you are going to achieve something like that, so to do it is pretty special. I am in illustrious company.
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