'We will do even better' - Pathan
When Irfan Pathan strode in to address the media, sporting an India tracksuit and smoothing back his tousled curls, he certainly didn't look like he was part of a side that had lost hope
Dileep Premachandran in Bangalore
24-Jun-2005
When Irfan Pathan strode in to address the media, sporting an India tracksuit and smoothing back his tousled curls, he certainly didn't look as if he was part of a side that had lost hope. Yet to be spoilt by adulation and the fat endorsement contracts, he answered questions with candour and an optimism that could be India's greatest ally going into the final two days:
 |
|
On the state of the pitch
It's quite slow, and if you bowl a bad ball it will go for runs. From the first day, it has had fairly low bounce, and today was no different.
It's quite slow, and if you bowl a bad ball it will go for runs. From the first day, it has had fairly low bounce, and today was no different.
On the decision that cost him his wicket
I don't think I'm going to talk about that, but I'll just say I thought I was unlucky.
I don't think I'm going to talk about that, but I'll just say I thought I was unlucky.
On whether his 31 shamed some of his more illustrious top-order colleagues
It's not going to happen all the time. They too will miss out on some days. We did pretty well [he and Parthiv Patel added 60] but I don't think there's anything for the top order to be ashamed about.
It's not going to happen all the time. They too will miss out on some days. We did pretty well [he and Parthiv Patel added 60] but I don't think there's anything for the top order to be ashamed about.
On playing Shane Warne for the first time
It was a good experience and I thought I played him quite well.
It was a good experience and I thought I played him quite well.
On whether India can save the game
We did very well today, and we're very confident that we can do even better over the next two days.
We did very well today, and we're very confident that we can do even better over the next two days.
On getting Justin Langer in his first over, and whether he had plotted a similar dismissal to that in the first innings
It definitely lifted the team, but there was no definite plan to target him.
It definitely lifted the team, but there was no definite plan to target him.
On leading the Indian attack for the first time in a home Test
Playing for India is a big thing, and is always going to be a big thing for me as long as I continue playing. And whenever I bowl the first ball, and lead the side's bowling, it gives me great confidence.
Playing for India is a big thing, and is always going to be a big thing for me as long as I continue playing. And whenever I bowl the first ball, and lead the side's bowling, it gives me great confidence.
On what tactics India need to adopt on the fourth day
We need to do both - keep runs down and take wickets. Zaheer [Khan] has bowled very well, and we are both swinging the ball. We will do better.
We need to do both - keep runs down and take wickets. Zaheer [Khan] has bowled very well, and we are both swinging the ball. We will do better.