South Africa's hero of the day, Dane Piedt, said his tour to India with the South African team in August helped him revive his confidence and get familiar with the conditions in the sub-continent.
Twenty-five-year-old Piedt, who was out of action due to a career-threatening shoulder injury, said the exposure he got against India 'A' at Wayanad, Kerala, was beneficial for him.
“In Kerala it was a good wicket. It is similar to the surface here. It was good to play against India 'A.' It was my first tour to the sub-continent and it is really good coming here,” said Piedt after scalping four Indian wickets in the fourth and final Test between India and South Africa at the Ferozeshah Kotla here on Thursday.
The off-spinner, who had achieved two five-wicket hauls in Wayanad, said, “Getting that opportunity in Kerala gave a lot of confidence to me on my comeback. I was close to my best and now I showed my ability to take wickets. Personally, I am just enjoying the moment of representing the country and trying to do as well as I can.”
Asked if he would have enjoyed playing on the spinner-friendly tracks earlier in the series, Piedt said, “It is my time, so I am looking to take it. Obviously, wickets in this series have turned quite a bit. Nice to play here. But it is my time and I am trying to make use of it.”
“I was out for eight months due to shoulder injury. And now when I get the opportunity I have to bowl as much as I can.”
Piedt said even though South Africa was disappointed to drop some catches on the opening day, they were hoping to restrict India to less than 250 in the first innings. “I am not looking at 2-0. I am looking to make it 2-1.”
Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar praised Ajinkya Rahane for his unbeaten 89.
“Rahane was slightly hurrying up his shots in earlier matches. Here he was willing to spend time and waiting for loose balls. On pitches like this we need to give time to the bowlers and get used to the surface,” said Bangar.
Defending Rohit Sharma, who fell to a poor shot, Bangar said the Mumbaikar had played more T20s and one-day internationals than Test matches and needed some more time to settle down in the longer format.
Bangar said the Indian team, which finished the day at 231 for seven, hoped its lower order batsmen to put up a fight on the second day. “If we last one session it will be good. The positive thing is the lower order has been contributing of late.”
Comments
SHARE