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Ajaz Patel, who was one of the saviours for New Zealand in the last half hour of first Test at Kanpur has said that the Kiwi team can go up from anywhere. Restricting India from a win in Kanpur, Ajaz said that New Zealand were good enough to take away World Test Championship (WTC) from the Indian team. The reigning WTC champions were in a dicey position in the first Test before Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel survived the last 52 balls of the match on Day 5. The last Test of the series will take place in Mumbai and New Zealand are ready for another stiff challenge against the hosts.
“I have been at Wankhede earlier”
Ajaz was born in Mumbai but at the age of eight, he migrated with his family to New Zealand. Visiting his birthplace Mumbai made Ajaz a bit emotional before the game.
“It's a bit emotional. When we landed in Mumbai yesterday and earlier when I used to land at the airport, I used to go to my family or friends but this time it was different, as this time I was with cricket, representing New Zealand. I have been at Wankhede earlier also for some IPL games, thanks to Mitchell McClenaghan. I have bowled a few times during the practice sessions, so yes, it's cool as well as nostalgic at the same time," the Kiwi spinner said.
“We don't look in history too much”
The southpaw survived 23 balls and scored only two runs. His stand with Rachin Ravindra at a crucial time of the game helped the Kiwi team escape defeat.
“For us, it's still going into a game with the possibility of taking the series. We know the history of playing in India and we know how difficult it has been in the past. The beauty of our team at this moment is that we don't look in history too much and we look at the present. For us, we have a sense of self-belief that we can go up from anywhere, and recently we were able to take away the World Test Championship (WTC) from them," said the 33-year-old in a virtual press conference.
“So, for us, now it's just about playing the best cricket possible and everyone contributing. It's not just one individual who comes to the party, it does take a team effort and that's what Test cricket is all about. We are playing some very good cricket and we are confident at this very moment," he added.
