Photo: Saikat Das / Sportzpics for BCCI via AFP

There is a sense of homecoming for Black Caps spinner Ajaz Patel now that the Black Caps are in Mumbai.

Mumbai is where he was born and brought up and was also where he produced one of the greatest performances in Test cricket.

The Black Caps arrived in Mumbai for the third and final Test against India, already on a high after the series ended.

The tourists beat India by eight wickets in the series opener in Bengaluru before winning the second match in Pune by 113 runs, ending their opponents’ home run of 18 successive series triumphs dating back to 2012.

The last time India were swept in a home series was in 2000 when they lost 2-0 to South Africa.

“Definitely exciting, being back in Mumbai is always special, it’s a place I call home,” Patel said on the eve of the third Test.

“After ten for me, I wasn’t sure if I would get another opportunity to play here again.”

On 3 December 2021, India won the toss and decided to bat first in the second Test against New Zealand in Mumbai. They finished the day on 221 for four with Patel taking all the wickets.

He returned the next day and in the space of 40 overs helped dismiss India for 325, finishing with figures of 10 for 119 in 47.5 overs.

Patel became the third player in Test cricket history to take all ten wickets in an innings, after England’s Jim Laker against Australia in Manchester in 1956 and India’s Anil Kumble against Pakistan in Delhi in 1999.

Patel took 14 wickets in the Test (which New Zealand lost) and 19 in the two Test series (which New Zealand lost 2–0).

New Zealand’s Ajaz Patel interacts with family members and fans during the 2021 Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Photo: PHOTOSPORTS

He is not expected to have the same success against India this time.

“They’re certainly a very skilful opposition, so for us as a spin group it’s mainly about controlling what we can control and applying pressure for long periods.

“We have to be quite happy, we know how tough the task is to win against India at home, let alone win a series.”

Patel admits they have played very good cricket in the last two weeks.

“I guess for this game it’s important to start again and forget about what happened and put that to bed so we can focus on what’s in front of us.”

Patel is familiar with the Wankhede Stadium wicket.

“You know the red dirt is going to give you a little bit more pace and a little bit more bounce and it’s definitely going to come back, it’s just a matter of when.

Fellow spinner Mitchell Santner is the highest wicket-taker in the series so far with 13 wickets, while Patel bowled 41.2 overs in the two Tests, taking four wickets at an average of 49 .

The 36-year-old appreciates the role he had to play.

“Obviously Mitchell bowls really well at the other end, so for me, while I’m still trying to take wickets, I’m in the keeper role and trying to restrict the runs so the pressure doesn’t get back on us.

“In a new game that (situation) could turn again.

“For me it’s still the same thing about keeping it simple and letting the surface do the work for you.”

The third and final Test starts on Friday.

New Zealand’s Ajaz Patel celebrates a wicket playing against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, 2021.
Photo: PHOTOSPORTS