After the thrilling draw in the first game of the two-match Test series between the hosts India and the visitors New Zealand, the home team finally clinched the crucial Test series after winning the second Test at Mumbai by a record margin of 372 runs. By beating the defending champions of the ICC World Test Championship, India have earned crucial points in the ongoing 2021-23 ICC World Test Championship.
Though India completely dominated in the latest Mumbai Test, it became a special match in Test cricket history due to the New Zealand slow left-arm orthodox bowler Ajaz Patel. While India scored 325 runs in their first innings after winning the toss, the Kiwi spinner picked up all the ten wickets in that innings and inscribed his name in the list of a rare feat in Test cricket history.
Ajaz Patel’s first innings bowling figures: 47.5-12-119-10
3rd bowler to pick up all 10 wickets in a Test innings
Ajaz Patel became the third bowler to claim all ten wickets in a Test innings. Legendary England off-spinner Jim Laker (51.2-23-53-10 vs Australia at Manchester in July 1956) and legendary Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble (26.3-9-74-10 vs Pakistan at Delhi in February 1999) were the other two bowlers to pick up all the ten wickets in a Test innings. Meanwhile, Ajaz Patel’s bowling figures were also the third-best bowling figures in a Test innings.
Surely, Ajaz Patel is now holding many other categorical records in Test cricket. Here we are talking about some of these memorable records.
(Other key records during 10-wicket haul in that innings)
Best bowling figures in the first innings of a Test match (broke the almost 20-year-old record)
Ajaz Patel is now holding the record of best bowling figures in the first innings of a Test match. He broke the record of 40-19-51-9 by the legendary Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan against Zimbabwe (at Kandy in January 2002).
Best bowling figures in a Test innings by a left-arm bowler (broke more than 7-year-old record)
Ajaz Patel is now also on top of the list of best bowling figures in a Test innings by a left-arm bowler. Former Sri Lankan left-arm spinner Rangana Herath was the previous record holder with bowling figures of 33.1-3-127-9 (vs Pakistan at Colombo, SSC in August 2014).
Best bowling figures in a Test innings outside the home venue (broke more than 125-year-old record)
Ajaz Patel is the new record holder of best bowling figures in a Test innings outside the home venue. The previous record in this status was 14.2-6-28-9 by England right-arm medium-fast bowler George Lohmann against South Africa at Johannesburg in March 1896.
Best bowling figures in a Test innings against India (broke more than 50-year-old record)
To become the new record holder of best bowling figures in a Test innings against India, Ajaz Patel broke the record of former Caribbean off-spinner Jack Noreiga’s bowling figures of 49.4-16-95-9 (at Port of Spain in March 1971).
Best bowling figures in a Test innings by a New Zealand bowler (broke more than 36-year-old record)
In the list of best bowling figures in a Test innings by a New Zealand bowler, Ajaz Patel is now undoubtedly on top. The legendary right-arm fast bowler Sir Richard Hadlee was previously standing on the top position in this list with the bowling figures of 23.4-4-52-9 (against Australia at Brisbane in November 1985).
2nd best bowling figures in a Test innings in India
The legendary Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble is still holding the record of best bowling figures in a Test innings in India. Those record bowling figures were 26.3-9-74-10 against Pakistan at Delhi in February 1999. Ajaz Patel’s recent bowling figures are standing in the second position in the list of best bowling figures in a Test innings in India.
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In reply, New Zealand were bundled out for just 62 runs in their first innings. Despite leading by 263 runs, India decided not to enforce the visitors follow-on. The hosts set the fourth innings target of 540 runs for the Blackcaps after declaring their second innings on 276/7. Finally, New Zealand were all out for only 167 runs, and India recorded their largest Test victory margin (by runs).
Ajaz Patel’s second innings bowling figures: 26-3-106-4
Ajaz Patel’s Match bowling figures: 73.5-15-225-14
Best bowling figures in a Test match in a losing cause (broke more than 22-year-old record)
Ajaz Patel is now holding the record of best bowling figures in a Test match in a losing cause. Former Indian pacer Javagal Srinath was the previous record holder in this list with bowling figures of 46-10-132-13 (against Pakistan at Kolkata in February 1999).
Best bowling figures in a Test match against India (broke more than 41-year-old record)
Ajaz Patel is also holding the record of best bowling figures in a Test match against India. Legendary England right-arm fast-medium bowler Ian Botham was the previous record holder with bowling figures of 48.5-14-106-13 at Mumbai in February 1980.
Best bowling figures in a Test match by an overseas bowler in India (broke more than 41-year-old record)
Just like the previous one, Ajaz Patel is now also holding the best bowling figures record in a Test match by an overseas bowler in India after surpassing the record of legendary England right-arm fast-medium bowler Ian Botham (48.5-14-106-13 at Mumbai in February 1980). Meanwhile, Patel is now also in fifth place in the record of best bowling figures in a Test match in India.
Best bowling figures in a Test match in Asia by a non-Asian bowler (broke more than 41-year-old record)
Ajaz Patel is also holding the best bowling figures record in a Test match in Asia by a non-Asian bowler. Once again, the previous record-holder was the English right-arm fast-medium bowler Ian Botham with bowling figures of 48.5-14-106-13 against India at Mumbai in February 1980.
2nd best bowling figures in a Test match by a New Zealand bowler
Ajaz Patel has also managed to acquire the second position in the list of best bowling figures in a Test match by a New Zealand bowler. The legendary right-arm fast bowler Sir Richard Hadlee is still the record holder in this list with bowling figures of 52.3-13-123-15 (against Australia at Brisbane in November 1985).
3rd best bowling figures in a Test match by a left-arm bowler outside the home
In the list of best bowling figures in a Test match by a left-arm bowler outside the home, Ajaz Patel is now standing in the third position. The top two record holders in this list are legendary England left-arm spinners Johnny Briggs (33.3-16-28-15 vs South Africa at Cape Town in March 1889) and Wilfred Rhodes (30.2-3-124-15 vs Australia at Melbourne in January 1904).
