Team India is in a commanding position in the ongoing second Test against New Zealand in Mumbai, the hosts were bundled out for 325 runs in the first innings owing to a brilliant 10-wicket haul from Ajaz Patel. The left-arm spinner became only the third bowler in international cricket to achieve the rare feat. But the Kiwis couldn’t celebrate for long as the Indian bowlers bundle out visitors for just 62 runs in their first innings and then came out to bat again in their second essay.
After Ajaz Patel’s heroics with the ball, Mohammed Siraj drew first blood for Indian quite early in the innings. He breathed fire with his every delivery and sent back Will Young, Tom Latham, and Ross Taylor. Of the three wickets, the ball that uprooted that Taylor’s off-stump with an absolute jaffa from the pacer. Once New Zealand was reduced to 17/3, the Indian spinners – Axar Patel, Ravi Ashwin, and Jayant Yadav – got their act together.
WATCH – Mohammed Siraj Cleans Up Ross Taylor With A Peach Of A Delivery
The Kiwi batters had no clue about what was happening in the middle as the veteran Indian spinner, R Ashwin was close to unplayable picking up four wickets conceding just 8 runs in as many overs while Axar continued to impress as he returned with the figures of 2/14. New Zealand was bundled out for 62 runs in just 28.1 overs, their lowest total against India in Tests.
Their bowlers, especially Ajaz Patel, had worked hard earlier in the day only to find themselves on the field in a couple of hours bowling again with a huge deficit. The opening duo of Mayank Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara blunted the ball with confidence to make sure no wicket fell for the rest of the day.
WATCH – Shreyas Iyer Takes A Brilliant Flying Reflex Catch To Send Back Jamieson
Earlier in the day, it was all about Ajaz Patel. The hosts resumed on 221/4 and lost their six wickets for just 104 runs. India opener, Mayank Agarwal once again looked good notching up 150. Ajaz bowled superbly testing the defenses of the batters and picking up all 10 wickets of the innings. His magical figures read 47.2-12-115-10 to become the first-ever bowler to pick the first 10 wickets of the game ever.
Here is how the cricketing fraternity reacted to the dominance of Team India:
A lot of fans are wondering why there was no follow on decision in this #IndvsNZtest . My simple argument is unless there is some extra incentive (a bonus point or two) what is the point when there is so much time still left in this match? Agree or disagree? #INDvsNZ
— parthiv patel (@parthiv9) December 4, 2021
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) December 4, 2021
Ajaz Patel, what a story! 10 wickets in an inning is magical. To do that in the city you are born is extra special. Great to see Wankhede giving a standing ovation and making Ajaz feel at home.@AjazP
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) December 4, 2021
Magnificent!! Congrats #AjazPatel 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 https://t.co/u7K2RTf0gJ
— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) December 4, 2021
What a day of Test Cricket so far!
Ajaz Patel had to bowl 47.5 overs to take 10 wickets whereas #TeamIndia had to bowl just 28.1 overs to repeat the same!
16 Wickets so far with 27.5 overs left today! #testcricket #INDvzNZ
— Abhinav Mukund (@mukundabhinav) December 4, 2021
What a performance all the indian bowlers 👏👏👏👏👏🇮🇳 but specially @mdsirajofficial and @ashwinravi99 you both r fire today treat to watch 🔥🔥🔥👏👏👏😊#IndvsNZtest
— Rahul Sharma (@ImRahulSharma3) December 4, 2021
Great work Ajaz!! Congratulations on a wonderful feat, I still have some memories of the 1999 Delhi Test – outstanding spell by Kumble, I was going to score my second 100 when I was given out 😀 #INDvzNZ
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) December 4, 2021
Unreal stuff!! WOW!! https://t.co/OWgfGNMsOC
— Tabraiz Shamsi (@shamsi90) December 4, 2021
Terrific bowling @mdsirajofficial 👏🏻 #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/sgbUYpJ4Tx
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 4, 2021