New Zealand in India Tests 2021-22: Ajaz Patel's Historic 10/119 as India Win Series 1-0

New Zealand's tour of India in November–December 2021 for two World Test Championship matches produced one of the most discussed individual feats in the sport's history. The 1st Test at Kanpur's Green Park Stadium (November 25–29, 2021) immediately became a contest of attrition. Shreyas Iyer, making his Test debut, struck 105 in India's first innings of 345, followed by a second-innings declaration at 234 for 7 that set New Zealand a target of 284. The visitors, led by Tom Latham, mounted a genuine chase: they reached 165 for 9 in the final session, but the last-wicket partnership between Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel survived nearly 50 minutes for a draw — New Zealand salvaging a point they needed in the WTC table. The draw set the scene for the 2nd Test at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium (December 3–6, 2021), which turned on one of the most astonishing spells in Test history. Ajaz Patel, a Mumbai-born left-arm spinner who had moved to New Zealand as a child, ran through India's entire first-innings batting lineup, taking 10 wickets for 119 runs. He became only the third bowler in Test history — after England's Jim Laker (10/53, Old Trafford, 1956) and India's Anil Kumble (10/74, Feroz Shah Kotla, 1999) — to dismiss all 10 batters in a single innings. The emotional weight of the achievement was amplified by the setting: Ajaz was taking all 10 wickets in the city where he was born. India's response to Ajaz's 10-for was to bowl New Zealand out for 62 in their first innings — a collapse that immediately cancelled the moral advantage Ajaz had given his side. India posted 276 for 7 declared in their second innings, then dismissed New Zealand for 167 in the fourth innings to win by 372 runs. The final margin belied how close the series had been at Kanpur, but confirmed India's superiority across both Tests in home conditions. The 2-Test WTC series ended with India winning 1-0.

Kanpur: Shreyas Iyer's Debut and New Zealand's Gutsy Draw

The 1st Test at Kanpur's Green Park Stadium produced an absorbing contest across five days. Shreyas Iyer's debut innings of 105 — struck with composure after India found themselves in difficulty — immediately established him as a Test-class middle-order batter. India posted 345 in their first innings, with Iyer's century the centrepiece. New Zealand replied with 296, a competitive deficit but enough to stay in the match. India declared their second innings at 234 for 7, setting a target of 284. New Zealand began their chase with intent, but wickets fell at regular intervals as India's spinners found assistance in the Kanpur surface. Entering the final session, New Zealand were 136 for 7, seemingly heading for defeat. But William Somerville, Rachin Ravindra, and ultimately Ajaz Patel in the last-wicket stand refused to surrender. New Zealand's ninth and tenth wickets put on defiant partnerships to reach 165 for 9 at stumps on the final day, surviving enough overs for the match to end as a draw. The draw was a significant result for both sides in the WTC context — New Zealand's last-wicket resistance earning them a share of points rather than a defeat.

Mumbai: Ajaz Patel's Place in Test History

The 2nd Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai began on December 3, 2021, and on its first day Ajaz Patel bowled India out for 325 — taking all 10 wickets for 119 runs over 47.5 overs. The delivery count and the economy (2.49 runs per over) demonstrated that Ajaz not only captured wickets but maintained relentless control throughout. He took the wickets of Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Wriddhiman Saha, Ishant Sharma, and Mohammed Siraj — every batter from opener to No. 11. Despite the historic haul, New Zealand were dismissed for just 62 in their own first innings as India's spinners — Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel — exploited the Mumbai surface. India's second innings of 276 for 7 declared left New Zealand needing 540 to win. They managed only 167 in the fourth innings, giving India victory by 372 runs. The series result — India winning 1-0 — is the secondary entry in the record books. The primary is Ajaz Patel's place alongside Laker and Kumble as the three bowlers who have taken all 10 wickets in a Test innings.