Mumbai (Maharashtra): Some blowers have a special connection with a particular ground or a venue and if the bowler has his or her roots in that city then it is more special.
One such venue and one such bowler is the iconic Wankhede Stadium in south Mumbai and New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel.
Last time, when Ajaz Patel had stepped out at the picturesque venue, which is off the Arabian Sea, he picked all 10 Indian wickets in an innings, a rare feat for any visiting bowler.
Though New Zealand lost the Test match against India played between December 3 and 6 by a staggering 372 runs, it was remembered for Ajaz Patel's 10-119 in the first innings in 47.2 overs.
In the second essay of the Test match, Ajaz Patel again claimed four wickets as he returned to the same venue and ended with figures of 4-106.
The Mumbai Cricket Association had felicitated Ajaz Patel with the scoresheet of the game and a special memento to recognise his rare achievement as he had become only the third bowler in the history of the game to pick all 10 wickets in an innings after Jim Laker and former Indian spinner Anil Kumble.
Three years later, in 2024, during the third Test of the ongoing series, which was already clinched by New Zealand, it was Ajaz Patel, who troubled the Indian batters with his spin.
Ajaz once again took a fifer and ensured that his side restricted India to a modest 263 all out after being bundled out for 235 in the first essay.
Ajaz Patel returned with fine figures of 5-103 and his scalps included Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Mohammed Siraj.
Ajaz had spent his childhood in Jogeshwari, a suburb in Mumbai and indeed Ajaz who has Indian roots will not forget Wankhede and its crowd who cheer for him every time he steps out on the field.
