Ajaz Patel's match-winning bowling figures of 11 wickets for 160 credited his rhythm and ability to read the pitch for his match-winning performance.
New Zealand have just just one wicket and an overall lead of 143 runs in hand but spinner Ajaz Patel is certain that life will not be easy even for Indian batters while chasing a small total on a Wankhede track that is deteriorating fast.
Fast bowler Jacob Duffy and spinner Ajaz Patel routed West Indies as New Zealand won the third and final Test by 323 runs to complete a 2-0 series victory
By picking all 10 wickets, Ajaz Patel joined Jim Laker and Anil Kumble.
New Zealand's Ajaz Patel is auctioning the shirt he wore to claim all 10 wickets in a Mumbai Test in December to raise money for a hospital in Auckland.
Kavem Hodge's unbeaten hundred helped the West Indies avoid the follow-on and reach 381-6 on Day 3 of the third and final Test against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui on Saturday.
Former New Zealand player Ian Smith put down the Shubman Gill-led India's recent red ball struggles at home to their diminishing ability against spin.
India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel used the seam well and bowled in the right places to dismantle India's batting line-up.
Ajaz was congratulated by Team India captain, Virat Kohli, and head coach, Rahul Dravid.
K L Rahul on Saturday conceded that Indian batters' repeated struggles against spin, especially on home tracks, remain a concern.
For the first time in many years, India are going into a home Test match as underdogs and not favourites. Ask any player worth his salt and he would tell that it is not a happy place to be.
Armed with a potent spin attack, taking on South Africa seems like competing against a "subcontinent team", Ten Doeschate said, admitting that they need to get better at negotiating the challenge posed by tweakers.
The collapse, India's lowest failed chase at home, has left behind deeper fault lines than a dry Eden Gardens wicket can conceal.
The aura of home advantage -- long regarded as a hallmark of India's Test side -- seemed secure. But in barely over a year, that fortress has not just cracked, it has collapsed, raising uncomfortable questions about strategy, selection, and temperament.
India's awe-inspiring batting depth will face a stern test against South Africa's quality spin attack in the first Test, starting in Kolkata on Friday.
The series promises a fascinating duel between the two modern-day pace greats.
New Zealand's bowlers exploited the favorable conditions at the Wankhede Stadium, decimating India's top order in the early overs.
And joining the players in celebration were their families.
NZ hand young talent contracts as big guns remain casual
With an unprecedented 3-0 Test series whitewash on home soil, 'Master Blaster' Sachin Tendulkar stepped forward and admitted that maybe it is time for India to have an "introspection."
New Zealand beat India by 25 runs in Mumbai to complete an unprecedented 3-0 series sweep in India.
Shubman Gill was batting on 31 while Rishabh Pant was not out on one at stumps after India had come back into the game with Jadeja claiming 5-65 and Washington Sundar bagging 4-81.
Ajaz Patel said helping New Zealand wrap up a 3-0 series sweep in India on Sunday was even more special than his spectacular outing at the Wankhede Stadium three years ago
IMAGES from Day 3 of the third Test between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday
Spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin chipped away at the wickets to leave New Zealand reeling on 171/9 in their second innings at stumps on Day 2.
'I do not believe this has happened due to extreme aggression.'
Images from Day 2 of the 3rd Test played between India and New Zealand, in Mumbai, on Saturday.
'Now the spin that will come will be Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel. You should back yourselves.'
Rohit becomes first India captain with unwanted record
Only once in the history of Test cricket has a team bounced back to win after being bowled out for less than 50.
Kyle Jamieson also returns to the squad after back surgery in February in a pace attack which includes captain Tim Southee and Matt Henry, who has recovered from injury.
Latham admitted he has given thought to how to utilise the spinners at their disposal. New Zealand have Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel among frontline tweakers and Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips also to roll over their arms.
New Zealand on Monday named a strong squad, which includes five spin bowling options
Rishabh Pant's fiery innings was abruptly cut short by a controversial LBW decision that has ignited a debate among cricket fans and experts alike.
'If he couldn't plan a successful strategy for a home series, how will he manage in a more challenging away series?', asks veteran cricket correspondent K R Nayar.
Sri Lanka stayed on course for victory against New Zealand in the opening test in Galle despite Rachin Ravindra's unbeaten 91 on Sunday.
It was a stunning defeat for India, who were dismantled by eight wickets in seamer-friendly conditions in the opening match at Bengaluru, as they suffered their first series loss on home soil since falling to England in 2012.
Washington Sundar jumped seven places to move to 46th on the same list for Test bowlers.
Skipper Tom Latham's joy knew no bounds after leading New Zealand to historic 3-0 clean sweep over India in the three-match Test series
Washington Sundar justified his selection with a career-best 7/59 to bowl out New Zealand for 259 on Day 1 of the second Test in Pune.
