Ajaz Patel, who made history with his 10-wicket haul against India in 2018 at Wankhede, has once again put Black Caps in a strong position on the same ground. However, the mystery behind his sparse appearances in just 9 Tests has been revealed - New Zealand's smart and customized selection process based on specific conditions. Even Patel himself has embraced this approach, recognizing the importance of wise team selections in a country with only 70,000 registered cricketers. But with his impressive performance in Mumbai, New Zealand's strategy seems to be paying off as Patel became the first bowler to give his team a series win against India on their home turf in 12 years.
Ajaz Patel: A Profile of New Zealand's Unsung Hero
Ajaz Patel is a New Zealand cricketer who has made history in the sport. In 2018, he became only the third bowler to take all 10 wickets in an innings of a Test match, a feat he achieved against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. This remarkable performance was the culmination of a long and challenging journey for Patel, who has faced numerous setbacks throughout his career.
Early Life and Career
Patel was born in Mumbai, India, on October 21, 1988. He moved to New Zealand with his family at a young age and began playing cricket at the age of 10. After a successful youth career, he made his debut for the Central Districts Stags in 2006.
Patel quickly established himself as a reliable left-arm spinner, and he made his Test debut for New Zealand in 2018 against Pakistan. However, he struggled to cement his place in the team due to the presence of established spinners such as Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi.
The Historic 10-Wicket Haul
In December 2021, Patel was recalled to the New Zealand Test team for the series against India. In the second Test at the Wankhede Stadium, he made history by taking all 10 wickets in India's first innings. It was only the third time in Test history that a bowler had achieved this feat, and it secured a famous victory for New Zealand.
Patel's performance was lauded by cricket fans and experts alike, and it cemented his place in New Zealand cricketing folklore. He became the first bowler to take all 10 wickets in an innings against India on their home turf, and he helped New Zealand win a Test series in India for the first time in 12 years.
New Zealand's Selection Process
One of the most intriguing aspects of Patel's career is the fact that he has only played in a handful of Test matches despite his impressive performances. This is due to New Zealand's unique and customized selection process, which prioritizes specific conditions and matchups.
New Zealand's selectors have a deep understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of their players, and they carefully select their team based on the conditions of each match. Patel is a highly skilled spinner, but he is not always the best choice in all conditions. For example, in matches where the wicket is expected to be flat and dry, the selectors may opt for a faster bowler.
Patel's Perspective
Patel has embraced New Zealand's selection process, recognizing the importance of building a balanced team. He understands that he may not always be the first choice, but he is always ready to contribute when called upon.
"I'm a big believer in the team," Patel said. "If I'm not the best option for the team then I'm happy to sit back and support the guys. We have a great group of players and we're all working together to achieve our goals."
FAQs
1. Why has Ajaz Patel only played in a few Test matches?
Patel has only played in a few Test matches because of New Zealand's unique and customized selection process, which prioritizes specific conditions and matchups.
2. What is Patel's bowling style?
Patel is a left-arm spinner who bowls with a high arm action. He is known for his accuracy and control, and he is able to generate a lot of spin and drift on the ball.
3. Who are some of Patel's cricketing idols?
Patel's cricketing idols include Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan, and Anil Kumble. He has studied these legendary spinners and tried to incorporate their techniques into his own bowling.
4. What are Patel's goals for the future?
Patel's goals for the future include continuing to play for New Zealand and helping the team achieve success. He is also keen to develop his skills as a bowler and to become one of the best spinners in the world.
5. What is Patel's legacy?
Patel's legacy is likely to be as a bowler who always put the team first. He is a highly skilled and dedicated cricketer, and he has played a key role in New Zealand's recent success.
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.