Mumbai, Dec 3: After Mumbai declared their innings Bengal were 47 without loss while chasing challenging 391-run target. With a day to go, the ongoing match at the Brabourne Stadium is poised for a result on the final day of the game.
Speaking to the media after the end of day’s play Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary reflected on the match so far.
Excerpts from his chat with the media:
On not having lost wickets so far
If you see our scores before this match, we’ve been losing wickets very early, not just one but a couple. It put a lot of pressure on the middle order. Let’s see, I hope they can survive tomorrow morning and if they can hang around and the wicket is easing out, we’ll look to chase. We will see the situation [and take it from there].
On whether they will go all out tomorrow or play safe
Not safe, but we will look to stay positive. These guys are playing well, taking loose balls. The wicket has eased out and if we continue the good start till lunch, we can see that their [Mumbai] guys can be defensive in the field as well. And if I step out into the field then, even I can take that decision on what to do.
On whether the wicket eased out
Yes, a little bit, compared to the last two days. What I expected out of the first two days, I expected the moisture to dry up. Yesterday, it wasn’t that, it was helping the pace bowlers. Even today, if you see, there were a few balls jumping from the spots. Two of our batsmen in the second innings played really well to be there.
On Mumbai’s batting
There was a bit of help for the pace bowlers and you have to give the batsman credit after that, the way they applied themselves and scored those runs. We lacked a bit of maturity in our bowling department which is understandable because the bowlers are coming to Bengal, starting their careers as senior players, in the elite group, especially against Bombay where there is quality batting around.
On persisting with Abhishek Jhunjhunwala with the ball
The wicket was helping the spinners as well, not just the pace bowlers, so he can contribute. He got us a wicket in the first or the second over of his spell. He wasn’t part of the Bengal side so it was difficult for him to come in and contribute from the start. It’s going to take a little bit of time, especially bowling when he doesn’t bowl much in a days’ matches. There were left-handers, so I gave him the ball.
On whether he had a word with Jhunjhunwala
Our bowling lacks a bit of experience, and that includes the spinners as well. The difference is in the rotation in the ball for our spinners, it’s not much that they impart in the delivery. But it’s going to take a bit of time. The Bengal boys are in good hands now, a process has begun. It’s going to give results, not immediately but definitely.
On whether he required to play a brash shot when he got out yesterday
Who said it was not required? See I know my strengths and I play according to my strengths. I play spin very well and after playing Swann earlier here, I thought I could take him on. Having said that, my selection of shot was okay but the execution wasn’t right. It’s been a while that I haven’t played that freely, playing at No.4 when I stepped out there’s been tremendous pressure all the time. Because of that, I have to curb my natural game more often which makes me think twice before taking a shot. In the coming days, I’ll definitely try and execute my shots properly and get some useful runs as well.
