New Zealand’s Ajaz Patel feels “emotional and nostalgic” about playing a test in Mumbai

Ajaz Patel, the left-arm spinner who saved the first test for New Zealand in Kanpur, feels nostalgic and emotional ahead of the second test in Mumbai. As it turns out, Mumbai is the birthplace of Ajaz, and he was only 8-year-old when he left the town for New Zealand.

Ajaz was only months old when New Zealand last played at this venue, and now some 25-years later, he will be rearing for the blackcaps, trying his best to win the series at his birthplace.

Ajaz, when asked about the return to Mumbai, in an interview with Hindustan Times said, “I was thinking about it when we landed in Mumbai yesterday. It was nice coming out – we have come here with family for holiday (in past). It is a little different now, obviously. This time I am with cricket.” Ajaz further added that it will be an emotional moment for him, considering that his parents, who have never seen him play for New Zealand in person will now be sitting in the Wankhede stand. Also, he emphasized the fact that all his family members who are in the town will be able to come in to see him play on different days according to their convenience, which Ajaz thinks is the “beauty of test cricket.”

Ajaz also enumerated about what were his thoughts about playing with Rachit Ravindra, another New Zealand player of Indian heritage. Ajaz said, “– the two boys of Indian heritage, being brought up in New Zealand, playing against one of the biggest cricketing nations, trying to fight for a draw and that I suppose (is) quite an amazing story in itself.”