On Day 2 of the third Test between India and New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium, Kiwi spinner Ajaz Patel put on a spin bowling masterclass reminiscent of his memorable outing at the venue three years ago. Born in Mumbai, Ajaz once again proved to be a menace for the Indian batters and claimed an impressive 5 wickets in India's first innings. With this, he became the first overseas spinner to claim 5 wickets at Wankhede Stadium since 2011.
Ajaz Patel: A Spin Wizard at the Wankhede
Spinner Ajaz Patel's recent performance at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai has once again highlighted his exceptional talent and the threat he poses to opposing batsmen.
Born in Mumbai in 1988, Patel made his international debut for New Zealand in 2018. Since then, he has established himself as one of the most reliable and effective spinners in the world.
Masterclass at the Wankhede
On the second day of the third Test between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium, Patel delivered a stunning performance with the ball. He claimed 5 wickets in India's first innings, becoming the first overseas spinner to achieve this feat at the venue since 2011.
Patel's spin wizardry was reminiscent of his memorable outing at the same stadium three years ago. In 2019, he took 10 wickets in a single Test match against India, becoming the third New Zealand bowler to achieve this milestone.
Factors Contributing to Patel's Success
Several factors have contributed to Patel's success at the Wankhede Stadium:
Top FAQs
1. How many wickets did Ajaz Patel take in the first innings of the third Test? Answer: 5 wickets
2. When did Patel last take a 5-wicket haul at the Wankhede Stadium? Answer: 2019
3. Who was the last overseas spinner to take 5 wickets at the Wankhede Stadium before Patel? Answer: England's Graeme Swann in 2011
4. How many wickets has Patel taken in Test cricket overall? Answer: 76 wickets
5. Which country does Ajaz Patel represent in international cricket? Answer: New Zealand
After years of struggling in the Pro Kabaddi League, Haryana Steelers finally clinched their first-ever title in the 2024 season. Led by all-rounder Shivam Patare, the Steelers dominated the finals against three-time champions Patna Pirates, winning by a margin of nine points. With 16 wins from 24 games and 84 points, the Steelers proved to be the best team in the league, overcoming their previous struggles to become champions.
Nitish Kumar Reddy, making his debut for the Indian cricket team, scored his maiden Test century against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The emotional scenes that followed his century reflected the sacrifices and hard work put in by his family and coaches. In a nail-biting match, Nitish's father, mother, sister, coaches, and fans were all anxiously hoping for his success, and were moved to tears when he finally reached his milestone. This victory is not just Nitish's, but a collective triumph for his family and the Indian cricket team.
As India faced a tough challenge in the ongoing MCG Test against Australia, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant's dismissal sparked a heated discussion between former cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri. While Gavaskar criticized Pant's shot selection, Shastri defended the young player, citing the difficulty of the deliveries he faced. Fans can now stay updated on all the latest news and updates from the India-Australia Test series through a WhatsApp group.
India made a strong comeback on Day 4 against Australia in the 4th Test with brilliant performances from Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar. Despite a tough start, India managed to put a decent total of 358/9 on the scoreboard, with a crucial partnership between Nitish and Sundar. Earlier, Yashasvi Jaiswal's contribution of 82 runs helped India recover from a difficult position. On the other hand, Australia's Steven Smith scored a century with support from half-centuries from Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, and Usman Khawaja. The series is currently tied 1-1 and this test will determine the winner between the two teams.
Marnus Labuschagne, with a score of 70, and captain Pat Cummins, with a score of 57, played a crucial role in reviving Australia's second innings in the fourth Test against India. The two batsmen helped weather the storm of Jasprit Bumrah's bowling and brought hope to their team's chances of winning the match.
On day four of the fourth cricket Test match between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Australian skipper Pat Cummins was left puzzled after a contentious umpire decision allowed Indian batsman Mohammed Siraj to continue batting. Despite a clear edge being caught by second slip Steve Smith, third umpire Sharfuddoula Saikat ruled Siraj not out, calling for closer scrutiny and sparking criticism from former cricketers Adam Gilchrist and Ravi Shastri. Although India's innings ended at 369, with Nathan Lyon dismissing centurion Nitish Kumar Reddy for 114, Australia held a first-innings lead of 105 runs.
In a press conference, Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley praised young cricketer Sam Konstas for his impressive performance in the Prime Minister's XI game against India. Konstas, who was added to the Australian squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, showcased his talent and confidence as he opened for Australia and played an entertaining knock. The 19-year-old has been a key player in Australia's recent victories, including their U19 World Cup win in 2024 and the warm-up game against India where he scored a classy 107 off just 97 balls. The selectors, as well as the Australian fans, are delighted with Konstas' inclusion in the team.
In the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Rishabh Pant earned India the eighth wicket in the second Australian innings with a brilliant throw at the non-striker's end, dismissing Mitchell Starc for 5 (13). This crucial moment may boost Pant's confidence, as he has faced criticism and struggled in the series so far. With Australia reduced to 156-8, the match hangs in the balance and India will need to apply themselves to chase a record total in the fourth innings at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
During the ongoing Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Australian batsman Travis Head for the second time in the match. Commentator and former Australian opener Simon Katich couldn't contain his excitement and praised Bumrah's performance on air. Bumrah's dismissal of Head on his birthday added to the nightmare for the Australian left-hander, who was also dismissed for a duck by Bumrah in the first innings.
Wolves manager Vitor Pereira has warned Arsenal that they will face competition if they want to sign Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha in the upcoming January transfer window. Pereira, who has won both of his matches in charge, hopes to keep Cunha at the club for a long time but acknowledges that the 25-year-old may have opportunities elsewhere due to his impressive performance of scoring 10 Premier League goals this season. Additionally, Cunha's potential availability may be affected by Arsenal's uncertainty in their January transfer plans and the loss of injured player Bukayo Saka. Other Premier League clubs, such as Manchester United, are also rumored to be interested in the talented striker.