Stars aligned for me to pick all 10 wickets here in Mumbai: Ajaz Patel

New Delhi: New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel on Saturday said that the stars aligned for him to pick all 10 Test wickets in a single innings against India here at the Wankhede Stadium.

“Quite a special occasion for me and not just me but my family. Unfortunately for me, they’re not here because of COVID. Honestly, it’s surreal and to be able to do that in my career is pretty special. The stars have aligned for me to do it in Mumbai,” Ajaz told host broadcaster Star Sports.

“I’m in very illustrious company with Kumble sir as well. Obviously, not a great start for us, but we have a few boys in the shed and put on some runs,” he added.

Incredible achievement as Ajaz Patel picks up all 10 wickets in the 1st innings of the 2nd Test.

He becomes the third bowler in the history of Test cricket to achieve this feat.#INDvNZ @Paytm pic.twitter.com/5iOsMVEuWq

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 4, 2021

Ajaz Patel on Saturday became the third bowler in the history of the game to scalp all 10 wickets in a Test inning. He achieved the feat against India in the ongoing second Test here at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

Patel returned with figures of 10-119 and as a result, India was bowled out for 325 in the first innings. Mayank Agarwal top-scored with a knock of 150.

"Every time you go out there, people will expect you to get 10-fer." – @anilkumble1074

As #AjazPatel receives a 𝑱𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒐 welcome to the club, here's what Anil Kumble had to say!#INDvNZ #INDvsNZ #10Wickets pic.twitter.com/CP9Sgm53SG

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 4, 2021

As soon as Ajaz picked up his tenth wicket, India’s Ravichandran Ashwin also stood up to give a standing ovation to the Kiwi spinner, recognizing the remarkable feat.

Earlier, Australia’s Jim Laker was the first cricketer to scalp 10 wickets in a Test innings in 1956 and that was followed by India’s Anil Kumble in 1999 against Pakistan.