By Qaiser Mohammad Ali, IANS
Kanpur : Despite picking two crucial wickets young leg-spinner Piyush Chawla said he was not happy with his performance and said he missed bowling with skipper Anil Kumble, who was declared unfit, for the final Test against South Africa here Friday.
Indian bowlers, however, did not seem to miss Kumble’s services as they wrapped up South African innings for 265 on the first day of the match at the Green park Stadium.
Chawla, playing only his second Test, gave the break through in the morning session by dismissing inform opener Neil Mckenzie and in the post tea session he got Abraham De Villiers, who scored a double century in the second Test in Ahmedabad.
“I am not satisfied with my performance and wanted more (wickets), but (we) bowled well,” Chawla told reporters after the day’s play.
“Playing without Anil bhai was a challenge. It would have been better if he was playing,” he added.
“I had to bowl in good areas. It was my second Test, so they were planning to take me on. Pressure was always there, but it was great to play on my home ground,” he said.
Chawla also complimented Ishant Sharma and added: “Ishant’s late spell was the turning point of the day.”
The leg-spinner hoped that Indian batsmen would compliment their bowlers’ efforts.
“The way our batsmen have been playing, we’ll do well tomorrow. The wicket is a slow turner and batsman have to play well,” Chawla said. “It won’t be easy for their medium pacers on this slow pitch.”
“We can make a big score and can bowl them out cheaply in the second innings,” he said.