IND vs NZ: 2nd Test, Day 2 Review – India in command despite Ajaz’s historic feat

Day 2 of the 2nd Test between India and New Zealand in Mumbai belonged solely to one player – Ajaz Patel. The Mumbai-born Kiwi etched his name in cricket history with a phenomenal 10-wicket haul. Unfortunately, his feat was overshadowed by New Zealand’s abysmal performance with the bat. The day started with Indian batsmen at the crease and it ended in similar fashion. After dismissing India for 325/0, the Kiwis were themselves bundled out for 62 in their first innings.

At stumps on Day 2, the Indian scorecard reads 69/0 with a handsome lead of 332 runs. Let us have a look at the 3 major talking points of the day:

Ajaz Patel joins Kumble, Laker

The left-arm spinner scalped all 10 wickets to fall in the Indian first innings, and became just the 3rd bowler in the 14-decade history of Test match cricket to do so. Patel joined an elite list comprising of legendary bowlers Jim Laker and Anil Kumble.

Siraj strikes hot as Kiwis crumble

Mohammed Siraj produced a menacing performance with the ball, ripping through the New Zealand top order. He first squared up Will Young, as the batter edged the ball to first slip. He then scalped the wicket of Tom Latham with a short delivery.

Siraj bowled a good length delivery that held its line, eventually uprooting Ross Taylor’s off stump. The pacer’s three-wicket burst reduced the Black Caps to 17/3, and they never recovered from that. Their middle order was left exposed by the spinners, with New Zealand’s highest individual contribution coming from Kyle Jamieson (17).

Ashwin, Axar run riot

Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel then took over to completely dismantle the visitors, without them giving them a chance to consolidate. The spin twins gobbled up 6 New Zealand batters in total. Ashwin and Axar sent down a combined 17.1 overs and leaked a miserly 22 runs, as the Kiwis were suffocated by the guile and accuracy of these 2 potent spinners.