India’s 2nd home test against New Zealand kicked off yesterday. Major talking points from Day 1 included Virat Kohli’s return as the team’s skipper, Rahane’s axing. Nonetheless, it was and a fighting hundred from Mayank Aggarwal which helped his team dominate the proceedings.
But today, the game entered its second day of play and things started to shift. Kiwi spinner of Mumbai origin, Ajaz Patel scalped six Indian wickets today. Patel had also accounted for all four wickets yesterday. Therefore, he ended up with an incredible 10-wicket haul in an innings. It was the third instance of any bowler accounting for 10 wickets in a single innings. However, his moment in the limelight didn’t last long enough.
Mohammed Siraj’s ripper leaves Taylor bamboozled
Kiwis had already two wickets by the time Ross Taylor came to the pitch. Siraj was red-hot and ready to bowl the 6th over of the 2nd inning. “Miyaan Bhai” as they call him, came running in as Taylor took his stance with his team’s hopes pinned on him.
Superb seaming delivery followed, which pitched on a good length outside off. Had the ball stayed true to its line, it’d have met Taylor’s solid defense around the middle stump. However, it wasn’t to be. Post pitching, it seamed away from the middle stump. It ripped past Ross Taylor’s defense and stuck the top of the off-stump. Here’s the video.
The audience and the commentators were left awe-struck. Even Taylor’s own reaction was not much different. Ross’ face carried an expression of shock and admiration for the quality seam-bowling display of Siraj. It stole the limelight from Ajaz Patel and his ten-wicket haul.
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With zero shadow of doubt, it was Miyaan Bhai’s best scalp. Mohammed Siraj took a total of three wickets within his first 13 balls. Regardless, Taylor’s walk back to the pavilion was just a prelude to the collapse that followed. New Zealand lost their last 7 wickets, scoring a mere 45 runs and were bundled out for sixty-two.
R. Ashwin took 4 wickets for eight runs while Siraj bagged three. Latter was the one who orchestrated the top-order collapse by undoing the stubborn opening pair of Captain Tom Latham and Will Young. His spell was pure fire and left fast-bowling fans all around the world heavily impressed.
