Didn't expect a two-paced wicket: Ajinkya Rahane
On the opening day of the second Test at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday (September 30), after India won the toss and opted to bat, Ajinkya Rahane pulled them out of a spot of bother after they had lost three quick wickets in the first session. Rahane, with Cheteshwar Pujara, shared a 141-run stand for the fourth wicket to put India back on track. However, late wickets reduced India to 239 for 7 at stumps, with New Zealand sneaking ahead.
You and Pujara did all the hard work, then it fell apart
I think we had a few soft dismissals. The partnership between me and Pujara was crucial for us. 240-250 for four or five would have been good for us, but I think we've lost two extra wickets. Nevertheless, it's not a typical Kolkata wicket. There is something in the wicket, and it's two-paced as well. But I'm really happy with the way Pujara and I batted in between in the second session. It was really tough, it was humid out there. But yes overall, not a good day for us so far.
Pitch surprised you?
Not really, we were not surprised (as such), but we didn't expect a two-paced wicket. We felt it will be very good. Generally, the Kolkata wicket is flat and good for batting. It was there for the fast bowlers, and initially they bowled really well too. And if you saw with the second new ball, that bouncer which Trent Boult bowled to Wriddhiman Saha - because of the crack it deviated. So it's not easy for the batsmen, but again - no excuses. We played some bad shots and got out, it happens in cricket. We'll have to learn quickly and move forward again.
Lop-sided scoreboard, batsmen trying too many things?
It's not because of the wicket obviously. As I said, we played too many shots. But I think Pujara and myself will take this blame, because we were set. He got out on 87 and I got out on 77. I think it was our responsibility to carry that partnership forward. See, batsmen just need one ball to get out, but I think if among the two of us if one had made a hundred, maybe our position would have been different. I can't blame anyone else, but maybe it was Pujara and my responsibility to take the partnership forward.
Disappointed at missing 100
It is disappointing, but as a batsman you don't think about scoring a hundred. You see the situation and play accordingly. I felt that in between in the second session we played really well, but after tea maybe we lost our concentration and focus level and got out. As I mentioned, we lost two extra wickets here. Five wickets would have been ideal on this kind of pitch. But Jadeja and Saha are batting, and if we get 75 to 100 runs tomorrow, 325-330 will be a good total for the first innings here.
Disappointed by lack of crowds at Eden
Definitely, and whenever we have got a chance we have always said that people should come and watch Test cricket. But you should think from the fans' point of view also. There is a lot of sun, and many would not like to sit in the sun. We only say that people don't come to watch Test cricket, but if you think from the fans' point of view, it's very tough for them also to come and see (a day's play) in the sun. But credit to all the 5000, 10,000 or how many ever people turned up to see the match here. If the facilities are nice, if there is shade for people to sit under, I think they'll definitely come. But however much support we get, whether it's Test cricket or one-day cricket, that is the best for us.
Defensive game and scoring quicker post tea
I think your defence is very important on a turning wicket. If you have faith in your defensive game, nobody can get you out. We did that in the first and second sessions, but in the third session we thought this is an opportunity to score runs. The ball had gotten old and the bowlers were tired, so we thought that if we can increase the run-rate here, we can put pressure on them. That was our thinking, to play with intent. It's not necessary to look for boundaries only, but you must have seen we used our feet to the spinners a lot. So our plan was to disrupt their lines and lengths, because it was easier to play the spinners off the back foot than the front foot.
But yes, defence is very important at the highest level and especially in Test cricket. If you focus on that and have confidence in your defensive game, no bowler can get you out.
Toughest bowler from New Zealand
I thought Jeetan Patel bowled really well. He was bowling slightly quicker through the air and was consistent. All the fast bowlers - Trent Boult, Henry and Wagner - also bowled really well. They bowled the right lines and didn't give us easy runs. I felt in between in the second session, we were looking to score runs but they bowled really tight lines and lengths. Credit goes to them, because it is hard for the bowlers here. It's not easy, it's hot and humid.
Score to win the Test
If we get 325-330 plus here on this kind of wicket, that will be a very good total for the first innings. But we have to bowl really well here. As I mentioned, it's not easy for the batsmen, but again we'll have to get those wickets quickly initially and bowl tight lines and lengths.
Excerpts from the post-match conference:
You and Pujara did all the hard work, then it fell apart
I think we had a few soft dismissals. The partnership between me and Pujara was crucial for us. 240-250 for four or five would have been good for us, but I think we've lost two extra wickets. Nevertheless, it's not a typical Kolkata wicket. There is something in the wicket, and it's two-paced as well. But I'm really happy with the way Pujara and I batted in between in the second session. It was really tough, it was humid out there. But yes overall, not a good day for us so far.
Pitch surprised you?
Not really, we were not surprised (as such), but we didn't expect a two-paced wicket. We felt it will be very good. Generally, the Kolkata wicket is flat and good for batting. It was there for the fast bowlers, and initially they bowled really well too. And if you saw with the second new ball, that bouncer which Trent Boult bowled to Wriddhiman Saha - because of the crack it deviated. So it's not easy for the batsmen, but again - no excuses. We played some bad shots and got out, it happens in cricket. We'll have to learn quickly and move forward again.
Lop-sided scoreboard, batsmen trying too many things?
It's not because of the wicket obviously. As I said, we played too many shots. But I think Pujara and myself will take this blame, because we were set. He got out on 87 and I got out on 77. I think it was our responsibility to carry that partnership forward. See, batsmen just need one ball to get out, but I think if among the two of us if one had made a hundred, maybe our position would have been different. I can't blame anyone else, but maybe it was Pujara and my responsibility to take the partnership forward.
Disappointed at missing 100
It is disappointing, but as a batsman you don't think about scoring a hundred. You see the situation and play accordingly. I felt that in between in the second session we played really well, but after tea maybe we lost our concentration and focus level and got out. As I mentioned, we lost two extra wickets here. Five wickets would have been ideal on this kind of pitch. But Jadeja and Saha are batting, and if we get 75 to 100 runs tomorrow, 325-330 will be a good total for the first innings here.
Disappointed by lack of crowds at Eden
Definitely, and whenever we have got a chance we have always said that people should come and watch Test cricket. But you should think from the fans' point of view also. There is a lot of sun, and many would not like to sit in the sun. We only say that people don't come to watch Test cricket, but if you think from the fans' point of view, it's very tough for them also to come and see (a day's play) in the sun. But credit to all the 5000, 10,000 or how many ever people turned up to see the match here. If the facilities are nice, if there is shade for people to sit under, I think they'll definitely come. But however much support we get, whether it's Test cricket or one-day cricket, that is the best for us.
Defensive game and scoring quicker post tea
I think your defence is very important on a turning wicket. If you have faith in your defensive game, nobody can get you out. We did that in the first and second sessions, but in the third session we thought this is an opportunity to score runs. The ball had gotten old and the bowlers were tired, so we thought that if we can increase the run-rate here, we can put pressure on them. That was our thinking, to play with intent. It's not necessary to look for boundaries only, but you must have seen we used our feet to the spinners a lot. So our plan was to disrupt their lines and lengths, because it was easier to play the spinners off the back foot than the front foot.
But yes, defence is very important at the highest level and especially in Test cricket. If you focus on that and have confidence in your defensive game, no bowler can get you out.
Toughest bowler from New Zealand
I thought Jeetan Patel bowled really well. He was bowling slightly quicker through the air and was consistent. All the fast bowlers - Trent Boult, Henry and Wagner - also bowled really well. They bowled the right lines and didn't give us easy runs. I felt in between in the second session, we were looking to score runs but they bowled really tight lines and lengths. Credit goes to them, because it is hard for the bowlers here. It's not easy, it's hot and humid.
Score to win the Test
If we get 325-330 plus here on this kind of wicket, that will be a very good total for the first innings. But we have to bowl really well here. As I mentioned, it's not easy for the batsmen, but again we'll have to get those wickets quickly initially and bowl tight lines and lengths.
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