He batted brilliantly, timed the ball pretty well,” said Kohli of Ashwin. “His mind was pretty free. He was relaxed, sure of what to do, just reacting to the ball. That's what worked as an advantage to him. The confidence of his bowling rubbed off. He has taken wickets in the series, and getting a hundred is always special for a bowler. It was a brilliant innings.
“He came out and started playing shots and I was like — I am standing at one end trying to handle pressure, trying to get the situation right from the time, and he gets five fours in 10 balls! It was good he was in that kind of space. It was good to have him scoring from one end, I could bat myself in and spend more time in the middle.”
“I spoke to Sachin and he told me to do the same things I do normally. He told me not to be over-focused,” added the articulate youngster. “That helped me. I went in in a difficult situation, but I cherish playing under pressure. I was concentrating all the time because of the team needing me to be there.”
Kohli made his debut in the West Indies because Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh, among others, had been missing. This time, he is in the squad on his own steam. “To a cerrtain extent, I thought I got the West Indies tour because so many players took rest. But not having done well there and scoring runs again and getting back into the team was satisfying for me, probably a better feeling having seniors in the side and getting included — that way you know that selectors and team management are showing faith in you to do well in that format.
“That is a bit of a confidence booster and having seniors in the team going into bat is a huge bonus for any youngster.”
Courtesy : Deccanherald
Fresh from a hugely successful Test series against the West Indies, India's new spin hero Pragyan Ojha today revealed that he gained heavily from the tips of Sachin Tendulkar who helped him out with some finer points. "Sachin always gives you that energy on the field. He advises me all the finer points like how to deceive a batsman. How to deceive in flight... His tips have helped me in getting at least 10-15 Test wickets," Ojha who is considered as a Test specialist told PTI today.
But I never had that negative feeling. I always stayed positive which resulted in this performance." He termed his county stint as something that changed him as a bowler. "Even when I was not with the team and played county in England, I would practice with the Indian team touring at that point of time. In fact, Anilbhai played a key role in me getting a chance to play for Surrey. They were looking for an Indian spinner and Alec Stewart had got in touch with Anilbhai who had recommended my name. I'm really thankful to him," he recalled how his association with Surrey started.
Courtesy : Hindustantimes
Complete Picture Gallery of Sachin Tendulkar During day five of the Mumbai test. The third test between India and West Indies ended in a draw. India won the series 2-0. Picture Courtesy : PTI, Firstpost, AFP, AP, Reuters & Daylife.
Complete Picture Gallery of Sachin Tendulkar during day four of the third test cricket match against the West Indies in Mumbai November 25, 2011. Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed on 96. Sachin was just six runs short of his elusive century of centuries. Picture Courtesy: Daylife, Firstpost, PTI, AP. AFP & Reuters.
Complete Picture Gallery of Sachin Tendulkar during day three of the third test cricket match against the West Indies in Mumbai November 24, 2011. Sachin Tendulkar remained unbeaten on 67 at the end of day three. Picture Courtesy : Daylife, Firstpost PTI, AP. AFP & Reuters.
