Cricket News By TODAYLIVESCORE.INFO - India in command despite Ajaz's 10. India bowled out New Zealand for 62 in the first innings
India bowled out New Zealand for 62 in the first innings
Mumbai turned out to be Ajaz Patel's city of dreams as he created history, bagging all of India's ten wickets to fall in the first innings. He became only the third bowler to achieve the feat in Test cricket's rich history as India were bowled out for 325 on Saturday (December 4). Other than that, New Zealand didn't have much to smile about as the merriment was short-lived. The visitors were skittled for the lowest-ever total in India, folding for 62 in just 28.1 overs, conceding a 263-run lead. After choosing not to enforce the follow-on, India managed to extend the lead to 332, ending the day to 69 for no loss by stumps on Day 2.
After India were bowled out for 325, Mohammed Siraj rocked New Zealand's ship with three wickets upfront in his opening spell. After the second session – one in which as many as 10 wickets fell – New Zealand were reduced to 38 for 6 by Tea, still trailing by 287. It didn't take long for India to pick up the remainder of the wickets as New Zealand's tail didn't last long against India's spinners as R Ashwin returned four wickets. India didn't enforce the follow-on and Mayank Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara – who opened in the absence of Shubman Gill who was struck on his elbow- extended the lead. Mayank continued from where he left off in the first innings, where he scored 150, and was unbeaten on 38, while Pujara was not out on 29.
Siraj was brilliant with the new ball, striking twice in his second over to get both openers – Will Young and Tom Latham. Young was undone by the length of the delivery. The extra bounce on the surface had the ball catch the outside edge as Young pushed into it that flew to Virat Kohli who took a sharp catch. Latham fell right into India's plan and hooked a short ball down Shreyas Iyer's throat at deep square leg with just two players set in the deep. The rising delivery meant Latham couldn't keep the hook down and perished on the last ball of Siraj's second over. Slight movement off the first ball of his third over had Ross Taylor knocked over with a jaffa with Siraj on a hat-trick. He thought he had trapped Daryl Mitchell leg-before as Kohli decided to review it, but the ball was found pitching outside leg as he missed out on the feat.
Axar Patel then trapped Daryl Mitchell ahead of the break. Even a review couldn't save him as three reds flashed on the replays. Henry Nicholls was trapped leg before by Axar and Jayant Yadav struck in his first over on his comeback as New Zealand slid further as Indian spinners were able to get a turn and made the going for New Zealand's batsmen tough.
Earlier, Ajaz found drift, bounce and turn and tirelessly bowled from one end for the majority of the innings. Mayank Agarwal got to his 150 soon after play resumed after Lunch, but it was as soon that Ajaz struck ending the 67-run stand between the opener and Axar for his seventh wicket. New Zealand then called for a superb review against Axar as no shot was offered. Ajaz would've had his ninth wicket quicker had New Zealand referred a leg-before shout against Jayant Yadav, but the bowler holed out in the deep as Ajaz bagged his ninth. Despite the fatigue, Ajaz continued to bowl good lines and lengths and was rewarded fittingly with a ten-wicket haul after Siraj was caught in the deep as India were bowled out.
In the morning session, Ajaz struck in the second over of the day to get the overnight Wriddhiman Saha – breaking a 64-run stand between him and Mayank – and R Ashwin in successive balls. Axar first saw off the hat-trick ball and thereafter built a more-than-handy stand with Mayank, adding 61 for the seventh wicket. Axar showed why he's a useful resource down the order, keeping New Zealand at bay with plenty of turn and bounce on offer.
Brief scores: India 325 (Mayank Agarwal 150, Shubman Gill 44, Axar Patel 52; Ajaz Patel 10-119) & 69/0 (Mayank Agarwal 38*, Cheteshwar Pujara 29*) lead New Zealand 62 (Mohammed Siraj 3-19) by 332 runs.
