Debasis Sen, Kolkata: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly lauded Virat and his team for making the first test match interesting towards the end. The final session of the fifth day was full of action and drama with bad light playing a spoil sport towards the end. The hosts were robbed off a great win as they could only manage to pick 7 wickets in the Sri Lankan second innings. The CAB President looked to be a relieved man after the test match. Speaking exclusively to xtratime.in on his way back to his Behala residence, Sourav spoke about the wickets on offer at Eden Gardens, Virat’s terrific knock, Indian bowling unit, South Africa series and Sri Lanka’s tactics of wasting time towards the end. Here are the excerpts:
XT) You must be a relieved man to see such an entertaining finish to the test match after so much time loss?
Sourav: Sure I am. The Test match was interesting because of the pitch we prepared here at Eden Gardens. The wicket had so much to offer. You need to pick 20 wickets to win a test match and for that you need to prepare good pitches. We will always prepare wickets like this in future as well.
XT) Couldn’t have asked for more as Virat scored his maiden test ton at Eden Gardens today?
Sourav: It was an absolute treat to watch Virat bat today. The knock he played was terrific although he did have his share of luck. Best thing for Virat is when he gets set he ensures he makes a big score.
XT) Virat has now scored 50 international hundreds. Can he match Tendulkar specially in the manner he is converting the fifties into hundreds?
Sourav: He still has fifty more hundreds to match Tendulkar. It is still a long way away.
XT) Do you reckon India have the best bowling unit at the moment?
Sourav: The best thing about this bowling attack is they are fast and quick. They bowl in good areas. With Bumrah waiting in the wings, we have a quality fast bowling attack. Then we also have Hardik who has already left a mark in the series against Sri Lanka. The good thing about this bowling attack is they are constantly at you, creating pressure on the batsmen.
XT) A word on Shami’s spell today in the final session?
Sourav: Shami bowled an outstanding spell of fast bowling today. It was good to see him steaming in on this wicket.
XT) If you are to compare the bowling attack you had during your time with the current unit, where you will keep this attack?
Sourav: It will be unfair to compare the bowling attacks of different era. All I want to say is we have a good bowling unit now.
XT) Sri Lankan cricketers resorted to time wasting tactics. What is your take?
Sourav: I see nothing wrong as they were also trying to save the test match. We should take it sportingly.
XT) Lastly, talking about the forthcoming series against South Africa, can we pin our hopes on this bowling attack?
Sourav: In South Africa this pace attack can reap rewards but it will be a different ball game altogether. Our pacers will also do well in such conditions.