India vs Australia 2017, 2nd Test: Always A Great Feeling To Beat Australia, Says Cheteshwar Pujara
Mar 7, 2017 at 3:48 PM
In low-scoring encounters where batting remains terrifying, even minute contributions such as a half-century matters a lot. The above statement holds completely true for the second Test of the India-Australia series as the hosts batted exceptionally in the second innings to give Australia a stiff target of 188.
The bowlers then responded in some fine style to decimate the Australian batting line-up and level the series at 1-1. Off -spinner and ace bowler Ravichandran Ashwin marked his return to form as he bagged a well-deserved six-wicket haul to break Australia’s spine in the chase. Apart from Ashwin, the pace duo of Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma supported him superbly.
The Indians were ecstatic after leveling the series and a few players opened up post the victory. Below are excepts from some of the players:
Cheteshwar Pujara:
“It is a great feeling to beat Australia.
“The way we were so far behind, it is a great satisfaction. We just wanted a partnership. The balls were staying low. The way Nathan Lyon bowled in the first innings, we needed a Plan B, and we had it. Anything over 200 was almost impossible here. Once we crossed 150, we were confident. When I went in to bat, I never thought about the runs. I just had a positive intent. Now probably we will have the psychological advantage the way we have played.”
Ravichandran Ashwin
“It was not coming out of the hand all right.
“I was trying to turn it too hard. One good thing I did was when wickets were not coming, I kept the runs down. We just spoke inside the dressing room to bowl some short spells and keep changing over. That is why we were rotating so we could attack through such short balls.”
Ajinkya Rahane:
“We were not thinking too far ahead.
“We knew 200 would be tough to get on this pitch. We wanted to unsettle the spinners. We wanted to dominate, not through boundaries, but through singles.”
Umesh Yadav:
“We were just trying to hit the deck hard.
“We knew from where the ball was keeping up and down. Every time we were trying to hit the wickets. Always a pleasure playing with Ishant. He gives me ideas on how to bowl.”