The second day of the first Test at Lord's had two additions to the famous honours board. Despite having spent the best part of Friday in battle, both Kevin Pietersen and Praveen Kumar enjoyed the other's success.
“PK [Praveen] is a really good friend of mine,” said Pietersen. “I captained him for a year in the IPL and he never listened to me. Just joking, but, really, if there's one Indian bowler I'm really happy getting five wickets, it's PK. He's a really fantastic guy and he's such a skilful bowler.”
Praveen, who made it a point to run all the way across the field to congratulate Pietersen, didn't elaborate — such is his nature — but his feeling was obvious. “A 200 is a 200. I had to congratulate him,” he said.
Pietersen rated his unbeaten double century, during which he passed 6,000 Test runs, among his best innings. “There's been some fairly complimentary things being said to me in the dressing room,” he said.
“I've never had to work harder. With the conditions and having to face M.S. Dhoni for half an hour as well, I reckon it's right up there with the hundreds I've scored.”
A dream come true
Praveen said his maiden five-wicket haul was a dream come true. “It's a dream to get five wickets at Lord's. It is very special. I didn't mind bowling that many overs. I bowl 30-35 overs in domestic cricket. In the absence of Zaheer (Khan), I had to shoulder that responsibility.”
Praveen had difficult moments during his brave performance. The 24-year-old from Meerut was troubled by his tendency to encroach on the danger area in his follow-through. “It's an issue I know,” said Praveen.
“I managed it by bowling close to the wicket and sometimes from wide. I like bowling close to the stumps and could still bowl 70 per cent of my deliveries that way. I came close to being warned, but fortunately it didn't happen.”
