NZ have the sense of self-belief to upset India anywhere: Ajaz Patel
New Zealand will be up against India in the second Test of the two-match series at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, and spinner Ajaz Patel feels that their team can pull off a great win against the hosts. The first Test at Green Park, Kanpur resulted in a draw and it has to be noted that NZ have never won a Test series in India since the 1988/89 tour.
Patel was instrumental in pushing his team to pull off a great draw while establishing a sturdy last-wicket stand with debutant Rachin Ravindra. However, the leading spinner of visitors feels that their side is brimming with confidence ahead of the final Mumbai Test and look forward to clinching the historic series.
“For us, it’s still going into a game with the possibility of taking the series and we know the history around playing cricket in India, we know how difficult it has been in the past. The beauty about this team at the moment is we don’t really look at history too much. We look at the present. We have the sense of self-belief that we can cause upsets anywhere and we’ve done that recently to kind of be able to take the World Test Championship,” Patel told reporters as quoted by The West Australian.
I guess the red clay has a bit more bounce and pace: Ajaz Patel
Patel was born in Mumbai and his parents shifted to NZ in 1996 and given that the final Test will be played in the financial capital of India, the spinner is expecting a lot of family members in the stands. However, he added that the key for them would be adapting to Wankhede conditions as quickly as possible.
“I guess the red clay has a bit more bounce and pace. We’ve just got to assess the wicket that’s given to us and how it’s responding, and we’ve got to set up a game plan according to that now. The beauty about Indian conditions is that you have to adapt very quickly and we know how good these guys are at playing spin, how adept they are in their home conditions. So, it is a great challenge and something we look forward to,” Patel concluded.
