Agarwal, ‘Perfect 10’ zoom up Test ranking tables

NT Correspondent

Ajaz Patel, who became only the third bowler in the history of Test cricket to pick up all ten wickets in an innings, against India in Mumbai, has risen to No. 38 following a match haul of 14 for 225. New Zealand still lost the Test by a record 372 runs, and India opener Mayank Agarwal, the Player of the Match for innings of 150 and 62, has jumped 30 positions to No. 11, just one off a careerhigh tenth spot.

For Ajaz, who emulated Jim Laker and Anil Kumble at the Wankhede Stadium, it meant a gain of 23 spots; his previous highest was No. 53, and he had started the two-Test series against India, which New Zealand lost 1-0, at 62nd place. He picked up a total of 17 wickets in the series.

As for Agarwal, his previous best rankings of No. 10 came back in November 2019, after he had scored 243 against Bangladesh in Indore in what was his eighth Test.

‘Dravid, Kohli coming to acknowledge me is a very big thing’

“Dravid congratulated me, he came to acknowledge me in the dressing room and this is a very big thing for me. We all know about the history of Dravid. Kohli also congratulated me. He is the leader of India and if he is coming to acknowledge you, it is a big thing. Sportsmanship is a big part of our game,” said Ajaz Patel.