NEW DELHI: New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel described New Zealand’s 3-0 series win in India on Sunday as more special than his individual performance three years ago. Patel took 5-103 in the first innings and 6-57 in the second innings of the third Test. This victory made New Zealand the first team to defeat India in a three-match home Test series.
Patel reflected on his 10-wicket feat in an innings during the 2021 Test at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Despite his performance, New Zealand had lost that match heavily.
He stated, "It's certainly sweeter. I can say that for sure. Coming here last time and having that achievement, but at the same time getting a hiding, didn't make it feel that special. This time around, bowling the team to a special Test win and a 3-0 sweep in India is pretty epic and pretty crazy."
Patel's performance in the series made him the most successful visiting bowler at a single Indian ground, with a total of 25 wickets. He added, "Every time I come back to Mumbai, it just feels like home."
"You get that vibe from a place. It's the same when I get back to New Zealand and to Auckland for the first time after a while. You get that special feeling and feel more comfortable."
New Zealand's collective effort was highlighted, with Mitchell Santner taking 13 wickets in the second Test in Pune.
Patel emphasized, "It was about challenging some of the best players in the world in their home conditions. I don't think any of us took a backward step. That's the biggest thing about this series. It's been a collective effort with different guys stepping up at different times, especially in clutch moments when the team needed it."
New Zealand will next host England in a three-Test series starting later this month.
For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the
India vs England Test match here.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the ...
Read MoreThe TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide.
From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more.
The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics.
We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects.
We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.
Read Less
Start a Conversation
Post comment