Shivnarine Chanderpaul paused a bit. He was just asked about whether he felt he has got enough credit for what he has achieved as a batsman — 9,604 Test runs and still counting. “I think so. I am not too sure but I think so,” he said in a style so typical of the man that is all about big runs and few words.
After shepherding the West Indies in the first Test that commenced here on Sunday, the southpaw (111 batting) said that he opted to cash in on the pitch and pocket his runs faster. “The wicket was pretty good and I thought it would be better to be more aggressive,” he said and then added: “It (pitch) might get a bit lower.”
Chanderpaul praised the young batsmen in his team and said that he mentors them as and when required. “The young fellows scored a lot of runs in Bangladesh. When I am batting with them, if I see something I just point it out to them.
“Today, I was talking to Kraigg Brathwaite and trying to help him,” the veteran said and also praised the Indian bowlers, especially Pragyan Ojha, R. Ashwin and Umesh Yadav.
The man, who has a healthy appetite for runs, will however shun food on Monday. “I will be fasting for Lord Shiva,” he quipped.
Ojha pleased
Pragyan Ojha meanwhile termed his effort (three for 58) in his comeback Test as heartening. “It is exactly one year since I played for India and I was looking forward to this. I did my homework. I played County cricket and I then played the Irani Cup where I tried some variations.
“The wicket wasn't doing much and it was about sticking to one line, getting my basics right and just playing with the patience of the batsmen,” the left-arm spinner said.
Among his three wickets, Ojha enjoyed scalping Brathwaite and also the tussle against Chanderpaul.
“Getting that stumping (Brathwaite) was simply amazing. He was beaten in the flight. I also enjoyed bowling against Chanderpaul.
“There were a couple of half-chances while he was sweeping.
“It is a great battle while bowling to a legend and hopefully I will get him out,” the spinner said and stressed that his stint with Surrey, helped him evolve well.
