New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel has completed one of Test cricket’s greatest ever achievements against India, joining the most exclusive of clubs by taking all ten wickets in an innings – just the third such instance in Test history.
The left-arm spinner, who was born in Mumbai before emigrating to the land of the long white cloud at eight years old, finished with the incredible figures of 47.5-12-119-10, having started Day 2 at the Wankhede Stadium with four wickets already in the bag.
Give us a bit… still processing that ????#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/Lq6n1CRuSY
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 4, 2021
10 for 119 off 47.5 overs!
Ajaz Patel becomes just the 3rd man ever to take 10 wickets in a Test innings & the first Kiwi, bettering Sir Richard Hadlee’s 9-52 in Brisbane in 1985.
India all out for 325. Live scoring | https://t.co/tKeqyLOL9D #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/ZRbgvMY3Z0— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 4, 2021
An applause for Ajaz Patel rings at the Wankhede, led by R Ashwin ????
What a moment ✨pic.twitter.com/SkkejGPt0M
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 4, 2021
Patel joins Indian legend Anil Kumble, who took all 10 against Pakistan in 1999; and Jim Laker, who famously took 10/53 (and 19 for the match) against Australia in 1956, widely regarded as the greatest bowling performance of all time. Outstanding company for the unassuming Patel, playing just his 11th Test and with only 29 wickets to his name heading into the match.
Unsurprisingly, it is also the best Test bowling figures by a New Zealander, beating out Richard Hadlee’s famous 9/52 against Australia at the Gabba in 1985.
As expected, the cricket world has lost its mind over the outstanding performance. Chief among them was Kumble himself, who welcomed Patel to the exclusive club.
Welcome to the club #AjazPatel #Perfect10 Well bowled! A special effort to achieve it on Day1 & 2 of a test match. #INDvzNZ
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) December 4, 2021
The effort has lit up New Zealand cricket Twitter, with current and former stars of the game in awe of Patel’s achievement.
WHAT’S JUST HAPPENED HAHAHA
— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) December 4, 2021
you fucking beauty!!! #Ajaz
— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) December 4, 2021
Wow!!! Just caught up with Ajaz Patel’s perfect 10?! #extraordinary ???????? Magical in #Mumbai ???? #INDvzNZ @BLACKCAPS pic.twitter.com/PWOa0RaWJt
— Danny Morrison (@SteelyDan66) December 4, 2021
I have been privileged to see some incredible things from @BLACKCAPS in my 15 years of commentary and today is right up there. @AjazP That was special mate. ????????#class #10fer #cricket #history #mumbai
— Simon Doull (@Sdoull) December 4, 2021
Amazing! ????
— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) December 4, 2021
Indian greats from VVS Laxman to current bowler Shardul Thakur also had nothing but praise for the Black Caps spinner.
10 wickets in an innings !! ???? Truly amazing , well done Ajaz Patel ????????????????
— Shardul Thakur (@imShard) December 4, 2021
Wonderful wonderful achievement and such a beautiful story. Delighted for you #AjazPatel.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 4, 2021
Sensational! Just sensational!! To take all 10 wickets in a Test innings is the stuff dreams are made of. Take a bow, Ajaz Patel, you are in the elite company of Jim Laker and Anil kumble. And to do it in the city of your birth, wow!! pic.twitter.com/iA6biAC4gz
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 4, 2021
The effort also proved enough to breach the Trans-Tasman rivalry, with Australian limited-overs captain Aaron Finch also joining in the adulation.
That’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen!! Ajaz Patel….what a phenomenal performance
— Aaron Finch (@AaronFinch5) December 4, 2021
However, there is a fly in the soup: Patel is now a chance to become the first bowler in Test history to take all ten wickets in a losing side. India were still able to manage a respectable 325 in their first innings despite Patel’s heroics, while the Black Caps were skittled for just 62 in response. (Patel was left stranded on 0 not out.)