Left-arm off spinner Ravindra Jadeja, who was not a part of India's ODI and Twenty20 internationals in recent times, said he was happy to be bowling for India again. The 28-year-old claimed three for 56 on his return against Sri Lanka here on Day one of the second Test.
"Yeah... obviously, finally I was very happy for that and also how I bowled today. I was bowling well in spite of there being no help from the wicket. The idea was to try and restrict the Sri Lankan batsmen and not give them easy boundaries. The fast bowlers did well in the first session," said Jadeja. Sri Lanka couldn't get a move on as it scored only 47 for the loss of two wickets.
First day's report:
Sri Lanka rattled by Ashwin and Jadeja
The Sri Lanka coach Nic Pothas said the team would be disappointed to put up only 205. "There was no demon in the pitch. In the first session of a Test match, you try to set a base and try to bat for a long time. You try and bat for a day and a bit, if you win the toss. The new ball spells are always tough and you try to blunt that.
"I thought India bowled well, I don’t think there were too many free balls going that we missed out on, but we adapted after lunch. The pitch hasn’t spun, it hasn’t seamed. There were six straight ball dismissals. Ashwin and Jadeja got wickets bowling stump to stump. At this level you can’t be missing straight balls."
On suggestions that India is using the series as a preparation for the series in South Africa, Pothas said: "That’s a professional enviornemnet. They are planning. They are looking forward to another series that is coming up. They have every right in their country to prepare the wickets they want. That’s what every side do. That’s India’s prerogative and that’s there right. I have no problem with that.’’
Comments
SHARE