The Hindu : Sport : ‘We want to pressurise Australia’

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‘We want to pressurise Australia’

Y.B. Sarangi

Gambhir plays down his run-ins with Watson and Katich

— Photo: S. Subramanium

EARLY STRIKE: Batting was not easy early on, with Brett Lee — who trapped Virender Sehwag in front — and Stuart Clark keeping things tight with the new ball.

NEW DELHI: Centurion on the opening day of the third Test, Gautam Gambhir said India would be looking to amass as many runs as possible and put pressure on the visitors on a track that promises assistance for spinners.

Gambhir, who scored an unbeaten 149, said he thought his effort would help the team succeed in its strategy.

“We will be looking forward to bat well tomorrow and score as many runs so that the Aussies will be under pressure. There is turn and the Kotla wicket is known for inconsistent bounce. If that happens on the third or fourth day then batting will be very difficult,” Gambhir told the media after the day’s play.

“On a few occasions (Simon) Katich spun the ball really well. We have two spinners and the way (Amit) Mishra bowled in the last game, it’s not going to be easy to score runs.”

Tough start

The Delhi batsman said initially the going was tough but the Indians stuck to their plan because of which he got two century-partnerships with Sachin Tendulkar and V.V.S. Laxman.

“It was never easy to score runs. They were attacking. Both (Brett) Lee and (Stuart) Clark were on target. So we wanted to get some time and later on capitalise.”

Gambhir drew huge satisfaction from his individual performance which put the team in a good position.

“I was under a lot of pressure as I was getting 60s and 70s. But the Mohali game worked in my favour…I had dreams of scoring hundreds against Australia and my dream has come true,” he observed.

The left-hander said he did not allow the pressure of expectation from the home crowd get the better of him.

The safer option

On bringing his hundred up with a six, Gambhir said: “That was the only option left as they were cutting the singles. I had to go over the top, it was a safer option.”

The 27-year-old played down a couple of run-ins he had with Australian cricketers during the day. On one occasion, bowler Shane Watson tried to block Gambhir’s way while taking a run and the batsman collided with the Aussie on his way back for the second run.

Later, Katich stopped the Indian opener from responding to Laxman’s call for a run and it led to a heated exchange between the two. Umpire Billy Bowden’s intervention finally brought about calm.

Gambhir said the duels were aimed at affecting his concentration. “These things happen in every game. All play for a win and these things come naturally. There are no complaints. They wanted to spoil my concentration and I did not want to lose my concentration.”

Asked if he deliberately hit Watson with his elbow, Gambhir said: “No, it was not deliberate. It just happened. It was an accident.”

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