Mumbai-born Ajaz Patel shifted to New Zealand when he was eight years old. He began his cricketing career with Auckland but it was only in the Central Districts where he showcased his skills. He followed the footsteps of two other Patels who played for New Zealand – Dipak Patel and Jeetan Patel.

Apart from this, he also became the fifth Indian-origin cricketer to play for New Zealand since Ted Badcock, Tom Puna, Ish Sodhi and his buddy from school Jeet Raval.

Initially, Ajaz played for Auckland A without much luck. However, when he made a move to Central Districts, he was fast-tracked into first-class cricket and made his debut in 2012. In the same year, he made his T20 debut, as well, but had to wait for three more years before he could play the 50-over format.

It was the red cherry that Ajaz impressed everyone with. Consistently, the left-arm spinner kept picking wickets but found it difficult to find a place for himself in the New Zealand Test squad that already had the likes of Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi. Santner, with his batting skills, proved to be a major roadblock for Ajaz.

Even though he could not make it to the squad, he kept performing for Central Districts, picking up 16 five-fers and three 10-wicket hauls. In Plunket Shield, 2018, he finished as the leading wicket-taker, 48 wickets in 9 games. Due to this performance of his, he was given the Men’s Domestic Player of the Year award.

Perseverance paid off. Ajaz received his maiden New Zealand call-up for the 2018 Pakistan series in UAE. He was included in the squad in place of an injured Santner and he made the most of the opportunity.

While his maiden T20I appearance for the Kiwis was as impressive, in the longest format of the game, he was given the Man of the Match award on Test debut. He picked up seven wickets – including a maiden Test fifer in the second essay. His bowling performance helped his team beat Pakistan by four runs in a thriller in Abu Dhabi.

Exploits in India (New Zealand tour of India 2021)

Ajaz Patel scripted a memorable homecoming to Mumbai. In the second and final Test against India, the spinner made sure that Wankhede remembers him for a long time. On an opening day, he got rid of Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Shreyas Iyer to leave the Indian top-order reeling.

He can also become the first international bowler since 2013-14 to take a five-for in a Test at Wankhede Stadium.

“Mumbai is an amazing place,” Ajaz had earlier said. “I can’t really explain it – it’s something that you have to experience, and it’s a sensory experience as well, for all your senses – your eyes, your ears, your nose, your taste buds,” he added.