Ajaz Patel, playing in his hometown of Mumbai, shone with 11 wickets overall to help New Zealand sweep the series against India 3-0 at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. Despite a strong performance from Rishabh Pant, Ajaz's clever tactics eventually led to his dismissal, securing him the Player of the Match award. In an exclusive interview, Ajaz credited his success to finding his rhythm on the Mumbai pitch, where he had previously taken 10 wickets in an inning against India in 2021. Meanwhile, Will Young was named Player of the Series for his solid performances in the absence of captain Kane Williamson.
Ajaz Patel's Historic Performance Secures New Zealand's 3-0 Series Victory in India
New Zealand off-spinner Ajaz Patel etched his name in cricketing history by taking an astonishing 11 wickets in the second Test against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. His exceptional performance played a pivotal role in securing a 3-0 series sweep for the Black Caps.
Born and raised in Mumbai, Patel returned to his hometown and put in a masterful display of spin bowling. His sublime control and variations proved too much for the Indian batsmen, who struggled to counter his guile.
In the first innings, Patel claimed an impressive six wickets to restrict India to 325 runs. Among his victims was Rishabh Pant, who was outwitted by Patel's clever tactics. Pant's dismissal proved to be a crucial moment in the match.
Patel's dominance continued in the second innings, as he snared five more wickets to complete a match haul of 11. He became only the third bowler in cricketing history to take 10 or more wickets in an innings twice at the same venue.
For his outstanding efforts, Patel was deservedly named Player of the Match. He credited his success to finding his rhythm on the Mumbai pitch, where he had previously taken 10 wickets in an innings against India in 2021.
Will Young's Role in the Series Victory
While Patel's bowling exploits grabbed the headlines, batsman Will Young also played a significant role in New Zealand's triumph. In the absence of captain Kane Williamson, Young stepped up and delivered consistent performances throughout the series.
Young scored a crucial 89 runs in the first Test and followed it up with an unbeaten 112 in the second Test. His resilience and ability to occupy the crease proved invaluable to the Black Caps.
For his all-round contributions, Young was named Player of the Series. His solid performances provided a stable platform for New Zealand's batsmen and helped lay the foundation for their historic series victory.
Top 5 FAQs Related to Ajaz Patel and the New Zealand-India Series
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