Every bowler aspires to take ten wickets, but just two had done it before the Mumbai Test against New Zealand in 2438 Test matches. However, a ‘Perfect 10’ by a Kiwi spinner against India on Day 2 of the 2nd Test at the Wankhede Stadium made history. He joined Jim Laker and Anil Kumble as the only other players to accomplish this feat.
Ajaz Patel, a Mumbai native, wants to make his return special. But never in his wildest thoughts did he imagine himself taking all ten Indian wickets. But that wild wish came true when Mohammed Siraj was bowled in the 110th over of India’s first innings on Day 2 to help the Kiwis bowl out the hosts for 325.
Joining the Perfect 10
Ajaz Patel is a name that will go down in history as a legendary one. Patel took all ten Indian wickets in the first innings of the 2nd Test match at Mumbai. Patel is also only the third cricketer in the 144-year history of Test cricket to take all ten wickets in a single inning.
The left-arm spinner’s stats are the greatest by a New Zealand bowler, and he joined Jim Laker and Indian bowling icon Anil Kumble as the only bowlers to take ten wickets in an innings.
Anil Kumbal Congratulates Patel
Anil Kumble, another member of the 10-wicket club, congratulated Patel on joining the ‘Perfect 10’ club. He tweeted: “Welcome to the club #AjazPatel #Perfect10 Well bowled! A special effort to achieve it on Day1 & 2 of a test match. #INDvzNZ”
Anil Kumble did it in 1999 against Pakistan, while Jim Laker did it in 1956 against Australia in Manchester. The gaps between each attempt show how difficult it is to complete all ten. Even though he was one of the victims, India’s great spinner Ravichandran Ashwin stood up and applauded his achievement from the Indian dressing room.
India coach Rahul Dravid, who witnessed colleague Anil Kumble’s accomplishment in Delhi 22 years ago, was the other one to cheer. He is also the only player to have witnessed the accomplishment twice, first as a player and then as a coach.
