Ajaz Patel: "I don't think you ever believe you can achieve something like this"

The New Zealand left-arm spinner returned figures of 10 for 119 as he joined Anil Kumble and Jim Laker in one of the game's most exclusive clubs

Ajaz Patel described the feeling as "pretty surreal" as he reflected on becoming just the third player in history to take 10 wickets in a Test innings.

The occasion took on extra significance, with the New Zealand left-arm spinner achieving the feat in Mumbai, where he was born before emigrating in 1996.

He returned figures of 10 for 119 as he joined Anil Kumble and Jim Laker in one of the game's most exclusive clubs.

Kumble was the last man to complete a 10-wicket innings in a Test, doing so against Pakistan in Delhi in 1999. Laker has the best figures in Test history, with 10 for 53 against Australia at Old Trafford in 1956.

"It is obviously quite a special occasion for me and my family,” Patel told Sky Sports at the end of a day that was ultimately dominated by India.

"It's pretty surreal. I don't think you ever believe you can achieve something like this. To be able to do it in my career is pretty special.

"I think, by the grace of God, I am very fortunate that the stars have aligned to have an occasion like this in Mumbai. To be born here and then come back to achieve something like this is pretty special."

^{Ajaz Patel is just the third man to take all 10 wickets in a Test innings}

He becomes just the 90th man to pull off the rarest of accomplishments, doing so only a fortnight after left-arm spinner Sean Whitehead became the 89th while playing for South Western Districts in South Africa’s domestic competition.

The achievement, which was brought up when Mohammed Shami skied to Rachin Ravindra at mid-on, drew considerable acclaim from across the game on Saturday.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri said: "One of the toughest things to do in the game of cricket. To have an entire team in your kitty in an innings is too good to be true. Simply unreal. Well done, young man."

India head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Virat Kohli both offered their congratulations on the balcony at the close.

Ravichandran Ashwin, who himself took four wickets, tweeted: "Well done on joining a club that eludes 99 per cent of the bowlers that play the game, Ajaz."

India are in control of the Test, however, having then bowled out New Zealand for 62 – the lowest Test score against India – before getting through the close of a remarkable day's play unscathed after opting not to enforce the follow-on.

Scorecard

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