Ajaz makes history: India dismantle Kiwis

For the first time in history, ‘Perfect 10’ heroics to go in defeat?

Mohammed Rumman Khan | NT

Mumbai-born New Zealand leftarm spinner Ajaz Patel had an unforgettable afternoon when he entered the annals of Test cricket history with a 10-wicket haul in an innings but Indian bowlers made it a forgettable evening for him as well as his team by dismissing the visitors for a paltry 62, taking a massive stride towards a series victory.

A fiery spell by Mohammed Siraj prised open the batting and thereafter all downhill on a pitch with turn and bounce, exploited brilliantly by India’s spinners. Do you think Kiwis will escape with a draw here or will turn things around? With the way Indian bowlers are bowling, this match is expected to end on Day 3. Kiwis are certainly missing the big-match player Kane Williamson. They wanted someone to hold one end, but that didn’t happen.

By the end of the day, India were 69 for no loss in their second innings with Virat Kohli deciding against enforcing the followon in the second and final Test.

Cheteshwar Pujara, coming out to open in place of an injured Shubman Gill, looked good during his 29 not out while Mayank Agarwal, after his fine 150 in India’s first innings total of 325, remained unbeaten on 38.

The lead swelled to 332 for the hosts and in these conditions, the Indians will brace up for a three-day finish to earn some rest before boarding the charter flight to Johannesburg on December 16.

The second day of the second Test should have solely belonged to the 33-year-old Patel, who had figures of 47.5-12-119-10, to join the ‘Elite List’, where he has late Jim Laker and Indian great Anil Kumble for company.

‘Delivery to Taylor was a dream ball’

Siraj played a key role in New Zealand getting bowled out for 62 in their first innings as he got three top-order wickets in quick succession in his opening spell on the second day of the second Test. Asked about the delivery to Taylor, Siraj said, “The plan was that we had set the field for an inswing delivery and was aiming to hit the pads but the way I was building my rhythm, I thought why not bowl an outswing. It was a dream delivery for any fast bowler.”

Shubman Gill suffers blow to right elbow

Gill suffered a blow to his right elbow while fielding in the first innings. He was hit by a shot from Henry Nicholls. Axar Patel was the bowler as Nicholls stepped down and went for a sweep after which the ball hit Shubman Gill who was standing at short leg. He has not recovered completely and hence has not taken the field as a precautionary measure.

‘Innings was all about grit, determination’

India opener Mayank Agarwal said that his knock of 150 in the first innings during the ongoing second Test against New Zealand was all about grit and determination. He added that the battles during his 311-ball stay at the crease were more on the mental side than on the technical front. Talking about what challenges he faced during his time when batting, Agarwal said, “I haven’t changed much, just tried to stay side on, but it’s more mental than technical. For my batting, if I don’t attack I’ll get stuck, so if I don’t put Ajaz (Patel) under the pump, he will keep bowling in good areas.” Agarwal attributed his hunger of runs and mental toughness to the Indian domestic cricket set-up.