The Mumbai-born left-arm New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel created history on Saturday when he became only the third bowler after England’s Jim Laker and India’s Anil Kumble to have taken 10 wickets in an innings of a Test, but his effort was nullified by a poor batting performance from New Zealand who were bowled out for only 62 in 28.1 overs in the first innings against India.
Ajaz Patel returned with historic figures of 47.5-12-119-10 in India’s first innings to help New Zealand bowl the home team out for 325, after they resumed play on the second day of the second and final Test match being played at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai at a strong position of 221/4.
Patel’s magnificent performance with the ball is the first ever 10-wicket haul among the three bowlers who have taken all wickets in a Test innings to have come while playing away from home, whereas the feat was recorded in the first innings of a Test for the first time in history.
However, his team failed to make most of the advantage as they produced a horrible batting performance to be dismissed for just 62 in the first innings, which handed India a huge lead of 263 runs in the first innings. Tom Latham (10) and Kyle Jamieson (17) were the only two New Zealand batsmen who got into double figures as the Kiwis, who are known for showing resilience and determination, fell against the Indian bowlers like a pack of cards.
India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj returned with figures of 4-0-19-3 whereas the pick among the bowlers was senior spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who took 8-2-8-4 in a stunning spell of spin bowling. Jayant Yadav took 1/13 from his couple of overs whereas Akshar Patel was impressive once again in his spell of 9.1-3-14-2.
Having bowled out New Zealand for a paltry total, India were presented with an opportunity to impose follow-on but their captain Virat Kohli decided against it. With Shubman Gill having hit on the elbow while fielding at a position close to the batsman during New Zealand’s innings, Mayank Agarwal found a new partner and Cheteshwar Pujara in India’s second innings.
Agarwal, who was earlier dismissed for a grand total of 150 in the first innings, reached 38 not out from 75 balls with the help of six boundaries in the company of Pujara, who was unbeaten on 21 nine from 51 balls with three boundaries and one six, with India reaching 69/0 in their second innings.
It is possible that the third day on Sunday of the second Test in Mumbai could be the final day of the series as India are ahead by a huge margin of 332 runs and New Zealand will have to produce an incredible fightback with the bat in the absence of regular captain Kane Williamson if they are to avoid a series defeat.
