IND vs NZ: Ajaz Patel Continues Dream Run in Wankhede, Becomes Most Successful Overseas Bowler in Single Venue in India

Mumbai-born Ajaz Patel continued his wicket-taking spree at the Wankhede Stadium as the New Zealand spinner surpassed England great Ian Botham to become the most successful bowler in a single Test venue during the 3rd Test against India.

Chasing 147 in the fourth innings, India's top-order collapsed as Ajaz claimed five of the hosts' seven wickets in the second innings. The left-arm spinner cleaned up Shubman Gill before removing Virat Kohli, who was caught at slip.

Ajaz then dismissed Sarfaraz Khan, who hit a full-toss to the deep fielder. The Kiwi spinner then claimed the milestone wicket in the form of Ravindra Jadeja and later removed the dangerous Rishabh Pant in a controvesial decision.

Ajaz's 24 wickets saw him surpass Ian Botham's tally of 22 wickets at the same venue. The New Zealander now also possess the best haul by any overseas Test bowler in a Test ground in India.

Most Test wickets by an overseas bowler in a single venue in India

Ajaz Patel (New Zealand) - 24 wickets in 4 innings at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Ian Botham (England) - 22 wickets in 4 innings at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Richie Benaud (Australia) - 18 wickets in 4 innings at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Courtney Walsh (West Indies) - 17 wickets in 4 innings at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Richie Benaud (Australia) - 16 wickets in 4 innings at Nehru Stadium, Chennai

Ajaz, who claimed five-wicket haul in the first innings, also became the third New Zealand spinner to claimed two fifers in a Test match after Daniel Vettori and Mitchell Santner, who achieved the feat only in the previous Test in Pune.

New Zealand spinners with two five-fers in a Test (Stats courtesy: Cricbuzz)

Daniel Vettori 5/62 & 7/87 vs Australia in Auckland, 2000
Daniel Vettori 6/70 & 6/100 vs Bangladesh in Chattogram, 2004
Mitchell Santner 7/53 & 6/104 vs India in Pune, 2024
Ajaz Patel 5/103 & 5/52 vs India in Wankhede, 2024

In 2021, Ajaz had achieved a huge feat at the Wankhede Stadium, becoming only the third bowler in Test cricket history to take 10 wickets in innings after Jim Laker (1956) and Anil Kumble (1999).

The Kiwi spinner finished that match with a stunning bowling figures of 14/225 - the best-ever by a visiting bowler on Indian soil, but New Zealand could not avoid defeat in that Test.

"Being back in Mumbai is always quite special and it's a place I call home as well. Having the opportunity to play out here again is quite special. To be honest, after my 10-wicket haul, I wasn't sure whether I'd get another opportunity to play out here again throughout my career," Ajaz had said before this match.

Overall at the Wankhede, Ashwin (41 wickets in 12 innings) leads the charts followed by Anil Kumble (38 wickets in 14 innings), Kapil Dev (28 wickets in 21 innings), Harbhajan Singh (24 wickets in 10 innings) and Ajaz Patel (24 wickets in 4 innings).