9 Dec 2021

Spotlight still shining on Black Caps spinner Ajaz Patel

5:51 pm on 9 December 2021

It's almost been a week since Ajaz Patel wrote himself into the cricketing history books.

Ajaz Patel of New Zealand celebrating the wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara vice captain of India  during day one of the 2nd test match between India and New Zealand.

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Black Caps spinner pulled off the rarest of feats by taking all 10 wickets in the first innings of the second test against India.

It's a feat achieved by just two others in 144-years of test cricket - and with exclusivity came certain benefits.

Starting, according to former Black Caps coach Mike Hesson, with being a name the cricket world will now never forget.

"The fact he got 10-fer is just extraordinary.

"I still remember Richard Hadlee getting nine for 52 back in '85, and I remember every single wicket.

"People that watched those 10 wickets of Ajaz Patel, no matter what age they are, will always remember them."

With such a special performance, came a special level of attention.

The Black Caps media team received upwards of 70 requests to talk to Patel, who had done more than 20 media interactions during the past five days.

Ajaz Patel of New Zealand at the press conference during day two of the 2nd test match between India and New Zealand held at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on the 4th December 2021

Photo: Arjun Sing /Sportzpics for BCCI

Patel said it had been a wild week, and the messages had been flying in.

"Currently there's just so many that I haven't got back to yet.

"Some greats of world cricket and also a lot of support from back home in New Zealand.

"It is humbling and it's sometimes a bit overwhelming."

So what did all this attention mean for Ajaz Patel.

AUT senior marketing lecturer, Dr Jessica Vredenburg, believed the 10-wicket haul opened all kinds of doors for a bowler born in Mumbai, the city where the match was played.

"The fact that this was achieved in India against the India team, where obviously he has ties from his childhood, that creates an additional piece to the story beyond the uniqueness of the athletic achievement.

"Both of those together will further reinforce the potential impacts of this event."

Dr Vredenburg said as well as potential opportunities in India, a cricket crazy nation of 1.4 billion, there may well be benefits back here in Aotearoa.

"This presents quite a feel-good story.

"A brand in New Zealand could potentially use this story and embrace it to strike that emotional chord within Kiwis, but also create that relatability to New Zealanders who have maybe followed a similar path."

Ajaz Patel in action for the Central Stags.

Ajaz Patel in action for the Central Stags. Photo: Photosport

As for on-field impacts, an obvious candidate was a spot in the lucrative Indian Premier League.

Although Hesson, who is the Director of Cricket Operations for the Bangalore franchise, was not sure that would happen.

"No doubt there'll be fans who will love the recency factor.

"But I think most sides will look at his Twenty 20 performances and assess those, rather than this outstanding test match performance.

"I'm not so sure it will lead to a huge amount of interest."

It wouldn't be unusual for some to think, though, that Patel had at least secured a spot in the Black Caps test XI for a while.

But most indications were that wouldn't be the case, either.

Hesson said, as tough as it was, it was highly likely a player who took 14 wickets in New Zealand's last test, wouldn't feature when their next test started against Bangladesh in Mt Maunganui on New Years Day.

"You have to temper the performance with the conditions it was in.

"It was amazing but that doesn't necessarily correlate to performances on surfaces where it doesn't turn.

"He's a developing bowler and he's got a huge skillset. It's just unfortunate for him seam has played such a massive role in New Zealand test matches, and New Zealand's record in New Zealand is exceptional."

It may not mean guaranteed selection, but you could be sure Ajaz Patel's place in cricketing folklore was very much locked in.