Australia wicketkeeper-batsman has admitted that his some of the batsmen from his team were surprised with debutant Kuldeep Yadav on the first day of the final Test in Dharamsala.
At 144 for 1 in the second session with and David Warner and Steve Smith looking solid, the visitors were looking well set to post a big total. However, the chinaman had other plans as he not only broke the partnership by sending back Warner but also removed the in-form batsmen Peter Handscomb and Glenn Maxwell cheaply to derail Australia’s innings. The left-arm spinner took 4 for 68 in his debut innings which helped the hosts to restrict Australia to only 300 despite being on the back-foot during the first session.
“Yeah, it took a couple of balls to get used to it. He bowled a lot of different deliveries. He bowled a lot of leg-spinners with the scrambled seam, he’s wrong’un was with a scrambled seam as well,” said Wade at the post-day presser.
“It took a few balls to get used to it, but once you stayed out there a little while, you got a read on him,” he added.
Australia was reeling at 208 for 6 and the score of even 250 was looking a distant dream but Wade struck a brilliant half-century to help his team achieve the 300-run mark.
He further said that the visitors had done their homework on Kuldeep prior to the series before admitting that it was a different proposition altogether while facing him out there in the middle.
“Yeah, we have a look at everyone before the start of the series, so the boys are on top of what he was going to bowl.
“It’s different when you get out onto a game scenario, especially the way the wicket was going to play and what’s going on out there, but yeah, everyone has had a look at his footage and he bowled quite well today,” he said.
He also conceded that his team missed a great chance to post a big total after getting a solid start from Smith and Warner.
“Yeah, I suppose a little bit. 140 for 1 after lunch, you would hope to push on but credit to the Indians. They bowled really well through the middle session and we have to find a way to grind out 300. I thought to get there in the end was a good effort,” Wade said.