Ravichandran Ashwin celebrating with teammates, the wicket of New
Zealand cricket captain Ross Taylor during the fourth day of the first
test match between India and New Zealand at the Rajiv Gandhi
International cricket stadium in Hyderabad. Photo: S.S. Virk
Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who returned
with his career-best, match-winning haul of 12 for 85 against New
Zealand in the first Test match at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad on
Sunday, says he is pleased that the happy days are back again not just
for him but for the entire Indian team.
“Well, for
the whole team it was a tough one year so far. This is the best possible
start really. I am really happy,” Ashwin informed media after India
wrapped up the Test match. “If you remember the last time New Zealand
was here two years ago they did bat well and almost drew the Test
series,” he pointed out.
The star performer from
India stressed that he was never the one to get bogged down by a poor
run or be happy with good performances. “I prefer to let the ball do the
talking, keep working constantly on various aspects of the bowling,”
Ashwin pointed out.
“Well, this is a venue where we
have not won the Test last time. We came here with lot of apprehensions.
Given this backdrop, it is a good start to the series and the focus
will shift to second Test in Benguluru where the Kiwi batters are
expected to come up with better plans. We have to be up against that,”
he remarked.
Referring to the close-in catching which
was very good in both innings, Ashwin said it was really good. “There
were some terrific catches. Especially the one Sehwag to send back
Franklin. These are the kind of efforts which put pressure on the
batsmen and which the bowlers relish a lot on these tracks,” he said.
“In fact, these helped me push for the five-wicket haul and also close
in on the match,” he added.
Questioned whether there
were any apprehensions when Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson were
batting well, the Indian offie did not think so. “These things
(partnerships) do happen at any level and all we have to do is to stay
focussed, stick to basics, price them out and be patient,” he said.
Ashwin
picked the dismissals of Jeetan Patel in the first innings and New
Zealand captian Ross Taylor in the second innings as the best of all his
victims in the match. “I think even Franklin’s dismissal today was not
far behind,” he said with a proud smile. He also felt credit should be
given to his spinning partner and left-armer Pragyan Ojha. “It is always
important for the bowler from the other end to build pressure and I
think he did a very good job,” he signed off.
Kiwi captain disappointed
For
his part, Kiwi captain Ross Taylor said he was certainly disappointed
with the innings defeat in Hyderabad. “I think both Ashwin and Ojha
bowled in the right areas to get the wickets. But, we do need to look
forward,” he said.
However, Taylor was in no mood to
debate the lbw decision against Brendon McCullum when TV replays showed
a clear deflection off the bat. “There is no DRS system. The umpires
are human and they may err,” was all he said diplomatically.
On
the second Test in Benguluru, the New Zealand captain said they had to
work out a little bit on batting technique against the spinners on these
wickets. “But again, it is mostly in the minds. We have to clear it as
early as possible,” he concluded.
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