Virat Kohli thinks not the pitch but the standard of the ball ensured a draw

After five days of grinding the Ranchi, Test ended inconclusive. Both the teams batted really well and there wasn’t just enough for the spinners from the wicket for them to force a result in the match. Australia’s 451 was met with India’s 603/9 decl in the first inning, at the end of the penultimate day the Aussies lost two quick wickets and that suggested things would deteriorate from there.

Nothing of that sort happened as Peter Handscomb and Shaun Marsh batted Australia to safety and got them into a leading position as well. At the end, India tried to get a few quick wickets with the second new ball but after bowling 100 overs in the innings Virat Kohli shook hands with the opposition and both the teams agreed on a draw.

Indian captain Virat Kohli said: “Yeah, for sure (we fancied our chances). We got ourselves into a very good position. Losing the toss on such a good wicket wasn’t easy. Not being able to take the field and see the opposition get big runs wasn’t easy again. We came back beautifully. Two guys batting out of their skins. KL Rahul and Vijay were outstanding but Pujara-Saha’s partnership was one of the best I have seen. Then Jaddu getting quick runs in the end. We didn’t expect to get 150 ahead to be honest.”

We thought if we get within 20-30 runs within their total, it will be good for us, but credit to those two guys (who got us a lead) and we had a shot at winning the game. Yesterday, we got two wickets but credit to those two guys (Handscomb and Marsh) who batted well. Guys were motivated to push themselves for the team. We have done it so many times in the past and this game was another example of that happening for us. Guys just wanted to push their mental and physical limits, that’s why we ended up in winning position. Credit to Australia that they played out a draw.” Virat added.

Praising Cheteshwar Pujara and Wriddhiman Saha’s effort the proud captain said, “I can understand when you play one format for the country and are counted as one of the best Test players in the side, you want to make it count. (Pujara) He’s very motivated to do well for the country and the team, and is someone who takes a lot of pride. He works hard and doesn’t mind grafting for his runs.”

He’s a hard-working player and has done it so many times in the past as well. This was probably his best innings, taking along Saha. He (Saha) did it in West Indies, in Calcutta and against Bangladesh as well. But this game was different, and happy for Saha. He’s always smiling, always happy and never complains about anything.” Virat said.

He opined that more than wicket it was because the ball wasn’t hard for a longer that didn’t let the spinners get purchase from the pitch. “I don’t think it was the wicket not doing anything; I think it had to do with the ball. I don’t think the ball was hard enough for it to bite off the surface. Even the ball that got changed wasn’t up to the standards. I don’t know the lot of balls that is coming in. Nothing to do with the wicket. I think when you don’t have the hardness in the ball, it is very difficult for the guys to generate pace off the wicket.”

“Hard new ball, and forty overs later, the game gets delayed. If you have a hard ball throughout, then it’s a different ball-game altogether. Probably when they were bowling as well, the harder ball would have made a difference. But that’s Test cricket; conditions don’t always go your way and you have to Test yourself. Credit to them for playing out a draw,” the Indian skipper said.

Talking about Ravindra Jadeja who bowled 49.3 overs in the first inning and 44 in the second the most by a bowler in the game and was still all charged up. Virat said: “(Jadeja is) unbelievable. He’s a gun in the field. I saw his figures s this innings – 40 overs for 50 runs – and I haven’t seen bowl more economically ever. Keeps pitching the ball in the same areas again and again, and gets the rewards.”

He further added, “Very hard-working, knows his strengths and knows his limitations and sticks to it. So credit to him. No different (plans) from what we have done here. We have played good cricket and want to do the same. Given hundred per cent and that’s what we want to keep doing. Another game to go and we are ready for it.” Virat said.

In India’s first inning Cheteshwar Pujara batted as long as no other man has ever batted in India in a Test match. He not only broke the India record for most balls faced in an innings but also Younis Khan’s record of facing 505 balls. His marathon knock lasted 668 minutes, 525 balls and he scored a remarkable 203 runs. He was awarded the Man of the Match for the game.

“I think it was much needed for the team. Because we lost six wickets and when Saha came in, we had a chat about building a long partnership to get close to their total. I and Vijay were having a good partnership, so I never thought I will face so many balls. But I knew I had to bat long to reach to their total. I do get tempted (to hit over the top) but you still have to look at the bigger picture.” Pujara said in the post-match presentation after accepting the MoM award.

After Virat, Ajinkya Rahane and Karun Nair got out without substantial contributions there was a situation when the game could have gone either ways but the Pujara-Wriddhiman Saha partnership sailed them through the trouble. “There was a situation when you couldn’t afford to lose wickets, so I had to restrict myself when I knew I was timing the ball really ball. So I looked for singles, rotated the strike unless the ball was really loose, rather than trying to create a shot. It is natural to me (playing long),” the 29-year-old said.

“I don’t need motivation when I am playing for the Indian team. We always want to win. We are number one and we want to maintain it. We were close to winning this Test too. To go past their total and to put them under pressure on the last day (was good).” Pujara added.

Talking about Australia’s effort in the second inning he said, “They were four down at lunch but Handscomb and Marsh batted well, we didn’t get a wicket between lunch and tea, and that’s where the game changed. We have an opportunity to win the series. (Long innings) does (take a toll on the fitness). I do get tired. We have an important Test match coming up and I hope that I am ready.”

Australian captain Steven Smith was proud of the effort his boys put up, especially the batsmen on the last day to draw the game. “Yes, it was (a nervous final day). Proud of the way the boys were sticking out today. We are trying to be resilient and stand up in those tough moments. The way Handscomb and Marsh batted today was fantastic. They played beautifully today and didn’t look like getting out for a while there. To build a big partnership and bat for as long as they did was really crucial. I am really proud of them.”

He didn’t expect the spin to allow the batsmen to survive but it played really and though tough, was true for the batters right through. “This was a pretty nice wicket. Was important to score big first innings runs. We probably left ourselves a few out there. 450 wasn’t enough to win this game, and then India batted beautifully in their first innings as well. Nice to get some runs and hopefully I can get in the next match too.”

Smith also praised the two players who were making a comeback in the squad for this game Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins who both put up a really good show with the bat and ball. “I thought Maxwell was sensational in the first innings; that’s the way we want him to play. He was sensible and had a good defence, which is important in Test cricket. Cummins bowled beautifully. The ability to bounce out batsmen on this wicket was magnificent. Great to have him back.”

Australia bowled the longest they have ever done in Test cricket in India’s first inning and toiled on the field for 210 overs that is heavily taxing physically as well as mentally. “Not too often you spend 210 overs in the field. Long couple of days out there but the boys dug deep and tried their best. That’s all you can ask. To come out with a draw on day five, I am really proud. 1-1 in the series and massive game in Dharamsala. Really excited. Can’t wait to go there and play.” Smith said.