India dominate after historic Ajaz Patel 10-wicket haul

While India dominated the proceedings on Day two of the second Test in Mumbai, the headlines were stolen by New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel, who became only the third bowler in the history of the game after Jim Laker and Anil Kumble to take 10 wickets in an innings. In the city of his birth – Mumbai – Patel carried on where he left off on Day 1, picking up the remaining six wickets to bowl India out single-handedly for 325.

However, despite Ajaz’s heroics, New Zealand endured a testing day at the office at the Wankhede as the hosts dismissed the Kiwis for just 62 in the 2nd innings, the lowest total by any team in India in Test Cricket. Mohammed Siraj carved open the top order with an outstanding spell with the new ball before Ravichandran Ashwin weaved his magic to pick up four wickets and limit the Kiwis to their lowest score in Tests against India. The Men in Blue opted not to enforce the follow on, finishing the day at 69 for no loss with a lead of 332.

This historic day of Test cricket began with a spin-bowling masterclass from Ajaz Patel, who dismissed Wriddhiman Saha and Ravichandran Ashwin off consecutive deliveries in his first over of the day. Saha was beaten by the ball that skidded on with the arm, while Ashwin’s dismissal came from a pearler that spun and hit the top of off. 

Axar Patel and Mayank Agarwal steadied the ship with another half-century partnership, but Ajaz continued to find the breakthroughs, removing Mayank for 150 before running through the tail in the space of two overs to cement his place in the annals of cricketing history.

Unfortunately for the Kiwis, their celebrations were short-lived as India struck immediately with the new ball, exposing a weakened New Zealand batting line-up that was missing its captain Kane Williamson. Siraj drew first blood, removing both openers in his first over. Young was undone by the extra bounce from the Wankhede pitch – edging one to Kohli at second slip – while Latham fell to the bouncer, pulling a short ball straight to Shreyas Iyer at deep square leg.

Siraj saved his best for last, dismissing Ross Taylor in his next over with a special delivery that seamed away after pitching to crash into the off stump. New Zealand were offered no respite with the bat, as Ravichandran Ashwin followed up Siraj’s excellent opening burst with a clinical 8-over spell that saw him pick up four wickets.

Jayant Yadav and Axar Patel also enjoyed a wicket apiece as the Kiwis eventually crumbled to 62-all out with only two batters entering double figures. With Shubman Gill taking a blow to the elbow while fielding, Cheteshwar Pujara opened with Mayank Agarwal in India’s second innings. The pair enjoyed a relatively comfortable partnership, putting on 69 runs to cap off a record-breaking day’s play in Mumbai.