New Delhi. The Indian cricket team will play the last match of the three-match Test series against New Zealand in Mumbai. Three years ago, on this very ground, New Zealand spinner Ajaz Ahmed had achieved the feat of taking 10 wickets in an innings. He will also play in the third test match. Aijaz, who gave a historic bowling performance at Wankhede, became emotional again after returning to Mumbai.
Ajaz Patel had taken all 10 wickets for 119 runs in an innings here three years ago, so this has become a special ground for him. He said, “It is always special to come back to Mumbai and this is a place I can call home. It is very special to get a chance to play here again. To be honest, after taking all 10 wickets, I was not sure that I would get a chance to play here again in my career.
Patel said, “To be honest, my memory is very weak and hence I do not know very well what kind of pitch it was. All I remember is that it looked dry from the beginning.
New Zealand has performed well so far in both batting and bowling and Patel believes that his team will have to stick to its basics in the next match also. “It’s really about continuing to challenge them,” he said. As a batsman, when you are facing a ball which is turning a lot, it is not easy to play. It is up to us to make sure that we pitch the balls in the right areas for a long time.
FIRST PUBLISHED: October 30, 2024, 18:57 IST