New Zealand’s left-arm spinner, Ajaz Patel, reflected on India’s challenges and New Zealand’s achievements as they head into the third and final Test with an unprecedented 2-0 lead over the hosts. Despite the recent series outcome, Patel noted that India remains highly skilled on turning tracks, a type of pitch that has historically favoured them. As the two teams prepare for the final Test at the Wankhede Stadium, another spin-friendly wicket is expected, offering India a shot at redemption and New Zealand a chance to achieve a historic 3-0 whitewash.
Throughout the series, New Zealand has outperformed India across departments, particularly in the spin game, which has typically been India’s strength at home. The visitors dominated the rain-shortened first Test in Bengaluru, where New Zealand secured an eight-wicket victory on a challenging pitch at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The second Test in Pune saw India struggling again, this time on a pitch that heavily favoured spin. New Zealand capitalized on India’s vulnerabilities, securing a 113-run win. With another spin-heavy pitch on the horizon at Wankhede, Patel emphasized the importance of strategic consistency and acknowledged India’s proficiency on such surfaces.
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“India still has the wood on us when it comes to playing on turning wickets,” Ajaz Patel said, reflecting on the hosts’ traditional strength on spinning tracks. “India’s batters have an immense skill set, and although they haven’t achieved the success they might have hoped for in this series, they remain a formidable side. Our approach as a spin group has been about control, applying pressure, and delivering consistent, quality balls over long periods.”
For New Zealand, discipline and patience with both bat and ball have been crucial in clinching this series win. Patel highlighted that while their bowlers have effectively challenged Indian batters on spinning tracks, the Kiwi batsmen have also worked diligently to counter India’s exceptional spinners.
Ajaz Patel, who famously took all 10 wickets in an innings against India at the same Wankhede Stadium in 2021, shared his excitement about returning to Mumbai, which he considers a second home. “Playing here is special for me,” he admitted, recalling the historic achievement three years ago. “After that 10-wicket haul, I wasn’t sure I’d get another chance to play here again in my career. Although I don’t remember the exact nature of the surface, I do recall it seemed drier initially.”
In the second Test in Pune, Patel played a supporting role to fellow left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, who bowled exceptionally well. Patel emphasized his readiness to perform whatever role is needed, whether as a wicket-taker or to maintain control at one end, allowing Santner to attack from the other.
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“It’s all about adapting to the team’s needs in each situation,” he explained. “With Mitch bowling brilliantly from one end, my role shifted to maintaining pressure and containing runs rather than going for wickets.”
Heading into the final Test, Patel remains cautiously optimistic, acknowledging the dynamic nature of cricket on turning tracks. Each game can bring fresh challenges, he noted, and the strategies that worked in Pune may require adjustment in Mumbai.
