Indian opener Virender Sehwag said his team suffered a batting debacle due to lack of patience while England batsmen flourished because of that virtue in abundance.
“Their batsmen showed more patience than us. They batted really well. Full credit goes to the way (Alastair) Cook and others tackled the Indian bowlers,” was how Sehwag summed up the third Test at the Eden Gardens on Saturday.
Sehwag, who scored 49, said the way his team’s batting crumbled was disappointing. “Losing six wickets in a session (after lunch) is very disappointing. The wicket was not that bad to lose six wickets in a session,” Sehwag said recalling the period when India let slip the initiative after making a good start.
Only God can help
“But now we have to work hard to bounce back in the next game. We can just hope that something happens tomorrow and we are able to draw the present Test. Only God can help us,” Sehwag said.
When he was asked whether spinner R. Ashwin’s unbeaten knock of 83 was an embarrassment for the batsmen higher in the order, Sehwag chose to highlight his teammate’s batting capability. “You cannot call it an embarrassment. He (Ashwin) is also a part of our team and he knows how to score runs. It is nice to see how he is utilising his talent.”
Sehwag said the wicket did not hold any devil in it and it was only the lack of application that proved a disaster for India. “If you apply yourself on this wicket, it is not that difficult to score runs. It is Test cricket and you have to show some patience, which is the key,” he said.
Sehwag said the Indian team was passing though a transition phase and the younger members in the team would settle down very soon. “It is a transition period for us. We will bounce back and score runs,” he said.
Finn praises Ashwin
England pacer Steven Finn praised Ashwin for the way he tackled the visitor’s bowling attack. “Ashwin batted well and tackled the swing very well,” Finn said. “We were patient through the day and got what we wanted but the last session was a little frustrating for us. It was a great day of Test cricket,” Finn said.
Finn said that England’s decision to practise in Dubai ahead of the Indian tour had paid off well. “It was a preparation for the subcontinent about bowling reverse swing and bowling on the stumps. It is paying dividends,” Finn said.
