Kiwi spinner Ajaz Patel started day two of the Mumbai Test by taking two wickets of back to back deliveries in his very first over. He dismissed Wriddhiman Saha (27) of the fourth delivery of the over followed by Ravichandran Ashwin’s dismissal on the fifth delivery of the over. He was dismissed for a golden duck in the process. Axar Patel denied him getting a hat-trick as he defended the hat-trick ball. India finished the day at 221/4 after winning the toss and opting to bat, with Ajaz taking all four wickets.
Ajaz Patel thus has taken all four wickets on his home ground in Mumbai. His wickets include that of Indian skipper Virat Kohli who was dismissed on a duck in his return Test. The ball which dismissed Ashwin pitched on the middle and leg and spun past his bat to hit the top of the off-stump.
The Indian off-spinner was confused and decided to review it. However, Mayank Agarwal batting at the other end, told Ashwin that he was bowled and thus they decided against going for the review. What was evident from the two dismissals was the fast that the pitch has shown early signs of turn and bounce.
— Cricsphere (@Cricsphere) December 4, 2021
The Wriddhiman Saha dismissal was an evident example when he was beaten by the pace of the delivery which skitted after pitching even before the bat came down. This was Ajaz’s third fifer in his just 11th Test.
“This is what dreams are made of” – Ajaz Patel
Speaking about how he felt after the day’s play, Ajaz Patel said it was special to get the wickets. But he admitted that there is still work to be done.
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Ajaz Patel takes a look at the Wankhede Stadium Honours Board on the way out following his 4-73 on the opening day of the 2nd Test in Mumbai #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/fgHk0GELPw— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 3, 2021
“This is what dreams are made of. To be out here and to go up there and pick up four wickets in the first day is pretty special. At the same time, the job is only half done, so we need to turn up tomorrow and work hard for the last wickets” said Ajaz on the presser after the first day’s play.
India are also playing with three spinners and thus will be a challenge for the Kiwi batters later on in the game.
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