Kanpur, Nov 29, : India’s head coach Rahul Dravid praised the efforts of his bowlers in taking nine wickets on day five of the first Test against New Zealand at Green Park Stadium on Monday.He said that the pitch was not challenging both the outer and inner edges of the field on day five.
Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Pavtel, the last-wicket New Zealand team, were determined to keep India from winning.They managed to save the match in thrilling draws. “It was probably slow and low, and didn’t have much bounce or turn.In Indian conditions, you can expect a little more wear and tear to these wickets over five days.It just didn’t seem to have that much bite.It’s usually in India on Day Five, where you can challenge both sides.At least the spinners have the option to challenge the outside edge for the catch and beat the people on the inside for the lbw.The outside edge was almost eliminated in this game.None of the edges were even carried until the final day.I don’t remember any catch near the edges.Bharat may have taken a couple, but it felt that there was only one way out, and that was bowled or lbw.This was likely true in the last session,” Dravid said in the post-match press conference.
“In spite of that, I think we did an excellent job in taking out nine wickets on day last.Although I’ve played in Kanpur before, it was slower than I have ever experienced.
On Day Five, it is normal to get a little more help.Cracks will widen a little.
It could have been winter, but it felt like you had to be able to score runs or block people out.Dravid said that if the players were not good enough, it could have easily turned into a boring draw.
Dravid praised Dravid’s team for their fight and composure in a pitch that he described as ‘unresponsive’.He also admitted that the match would have been lost if it wasn’t for Dravid’s praise.It was to be expected.We kind of knew that the light would drop at that moment.It has been happening almost every day.It wasn’t difficult.The guys were very switched on.”
“I felt that we displayed composure, great fighting spirit, and were able to work really hard in the last session on a pitch that was very unresponsive even on the fifth day.I thought the guys were very good and put in a great effort considering that they took eight wickets after lunch, three during that session and five in the final one.The game was very close and could have gone our direction with a little luck.But I think the guys fought hard today.”
The 48-year old defended India’s declaration in the second innings, saying that they had planned it well.”No, I don’t think so.This is not how I read the game.We were under pressure until about half an hour before the declaration.All three results were possible.
To be honest, if we had not got out, Wriddhiman Sacha would have shown great courage and character in batting with stiff neck.They would have chased 230-240 runs in 110 overs.Then, they were looking at 2.2 to 2.3 runs an over.
“I think we timed our declaration very well.
Shreyas was out just before tea, and then we had that partnership that was so crucial for us to go from 167/7 to 234/7.This wicket was very flat.
If it was turning or bouncing and had both edges in play, it would have been a different situation.Even today, if you can walk into a ground to see that the opposition needs less than three runs per over, that’s still not a lot of runs.
If a few batsmen get set, it’s still a good deal.I thought we did a good job, were well-timed, got a wicket yesterday, which was close today.We did a good job timing it.People forget that we were also under pressure 45 minutes before we declared.”
nr/bsk #deal #Dravid
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