New Zealand’s left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel is leaving no stone unturned to make his mark in the three-Test series against India starting from October 16 in Bengaluru. Ajaz Patel was born in Mumbai and his parents moved to New Zealand many years ago. But, Ejaz’s relatives still live here.

Before the start of the Test series, Ajaz Patel trained at MIG Cricket Club on Tuesday. On Thursday, 35-year-old Ijaz will fly to Bengaluru, where he will meet the rest of the players of the Kiwi team.

Ejaz Patel’s career

This spinner has taken 70 wickets in 18 Test matches at an average of 30.42. He has a special connection with Mumbai, when he took 10 wickets for 119 runs in India’s first innings at the Wankhede Stadium in December 2021, becoming only the third bowler in Test history after Jim Laker and Anil Kumble to record a ‘Perfect 10’ .

In September, Ijaz had requested Mumbai’s Dutta Mithbavkar to arrange for a training facility in Mumbai ahead of New Zealand’s tour of India. Dutta was the local manager of the Afghanistan team during the one-off Test between New Zealand and Afghanistan in Greater Noida which was completely washed out due to rain.

“At that time Ejaz had requested me whether he could get the facility to train in Mumbai? Because he will reach the city a little earlier to meet his relatives (his wife is also from Jogeshwari, Mumbai). He wanted an outdoor facility, and to practice on a spin-friendly wicket. After that, he got in touch with me.”

“It was Nilesh Bhosle (Mumbai Cricket Association Apex Council member) who organized a practice session for Ijaz at the MIG Club. He trained for about 90 minutes and bowled 10-12 overs. He bowled to former India Under-19 all-rounder Vaibhav Ankolekar, and was impressed by his batting. He also gave him tips on how to bowl left arm spin. I had also asked some young local players, including some left-arm spinners from my academy, to attend and shared bowling tips with them.”