Anil Kumble wasted little time in congratulating Ajaz Patel on his ‘special’ achievement after the New Zealand star joined him in an elite group of just three bowlers to take 10 wickets in a single Test match innings.
Patel ripped through all of India’s batsmen in the first innings of the second match in Mumbai, with this winter’s intriguing series currently level after the opening Test in Kanpur was drawn.
It was a particularly emotional moment for Patel given the 33-year-old was born in Mumbai and later emigrated to New Zealand with his family in 1996.
The first four wickets of Patel’s phenomenal haul came on day one and the left-armer subsequently dismissed Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravindra Jadeja, Mayank Agarwal and Axar Patel on day two to put himself on the brink of history.
The incredible milestone was reached as Indian tailender Mohammed Siraj edged to Rachin Ravindra on the second afternoon in front a stunned crowd at the Wankhede Stadium.
Patel was given a standing ovation from both sets of players as walked off the field with barely believable figures of 10-119 from his 47.5 overs and the hosts bowled out for 325.
Former England star Jim Laker and India legend Kumble are the only other cricketers to have achieved such a feat in the history of the sport and the latter took to Twitter to welcome Patel to their elite club.
‘Welcome to the club #AjazPatel #Perfect10 Well bowled!’ Kumble tweeted.
‘A special effort to achieve it on Day 1 & 2 of a test match.’
There were other kind messages on social media for Patel from greats of the game including Ian Bishop, Harbhajan Singh and Virender Sehwag.
Ajaz Patel….10fer in an innings. That is the stuff of childhood dreams,’ Bishop wrote on Twitter.
Singh tweeted: ‘Ajaz Patel This will be remembered forever 47.5-12-119-10 simply outstanding..Let me stand and clap.’
One of the most difficult things to achieve in the game. 10 wickets in an innings. A day to remember for the rest of your life, #AjazPatel . Born in Mumbai, creating history in Mumbai.
Congratulations on the historic achievement. pic.twitter.com/hdOe67COdK— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) December 4, 2021
‘One of the most difficult things to achieve in the game,’ Sehwag said.
’10 wickets in an innings. A day to remember for the rest of your life, Ajaz Patel.
‘Born in Mumbai, creating history in Mumbai. Congratulations on the historic achievement.’