New Zealand left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel said that it was a very humbling and special feeling for him to join Jim Laker and Anil Kumble in the elite list of bowlers with 10 wickets in an innings of a Test match.
The second Test match between India and New Zealand in Mumbai, which hosts won, saw history being created at Wankhade Stadium.
India-born New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel ran through the hosts batting line-up and took all 10 wickets in the first innings to join Jim Laker and Anil Kumble in the list of bowlers with 10 wickets in an innings.
Read Also: Hardik Pandya to skip Vijay Hazare Trophy for Baroda as he undergoes rehab in Mumbai: Report
The off-spinner went on to take 14 wickets in the match and was lauded by the cricket fraternity for his heroics. Praising him for his 10-wicket haul, senior Indian spinner R Ashwin gifted him his jersey with signatures of all Indian players on it.
Addressing a press conference, Ajaz Patel talked about his 10-wicket haul against India in the second Test. He said that although it’s a very humbling and special feeling for him to join the likes of Jim Laker and Anil Kumble but he wanted to make sure that he gave his best when he was on the cusp of achieving the feat.
"For me, it was how cool it can be to take 10 wickets. That's an illustrious company to join Jim Laker and Anil Kumble is a special one and very humbling but for me, it was more about thinking in mind, 'I got to do anything to make sure I give myself the best chance' because I have been in situations where I didn't push that hard," Ajaz Patel said in a virtual press conference.
Patel said that even though he achieved something amazing, it doesn’t change him as a person and he wants to stay grounded. He added that he wants to play at least 80 or 90 Tests for New Zealand by the time he calls time on his career and for that he needs to work hard and improve his game.
"Yes, I've achieved something amazing, but it's a new day and there's more cricket to come. So for me, it's about staying grounded as the person that I am, down to earth and nothing's really changed, I haven't changed as a person. And it's not going to really impact me too much because I know there's a lot more left in my career.
“And if you look at my career, I'm 11 games in and I hope to be one of those cricketers that's played 80 or 90 games for New Zealand by the end of my career and for me to be able to do that make sure I keep working hard and improve my game,” he said.
Ajaz Patel concluded by saying that it’s an amazing achievement as many people now know him as a cricketer.
"I'll take the learning for these two games and start developing those areas where I need to do a little bit of work. It's an amazing achievement, many people know me as a cricketer now," he said.
Despite Ajaz Patel’s 10-wicket haul, New Zealand failed to win the Test match against India. The spinner will next be seen in action when the Black Caps take on Bangladesh in the home series next month.
(ANI inputs)
