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Glasgow: It was around
6.30 pm (IST) on Monday that the Indian cricketers reached
the Hilton. The check-in formalities didn’t take time,
but the Rahul Dravids still looked tired. Some, like Yuvraj
Singh, were hungry as well. Yuvraj (MoM in the decider against
South Africa) promptly ordered fish-chips and spoke to The
Telegraph while waiting for room service to oblige.
The following are excerpts
On Sunday’s effort in Belfast
The first three wickets had
fallen quite early and it was important to hold the innings
together… The ball had been seaming… Rahul and I had a good
partnership and, then, (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni came to the
wicket… His presence makes me comfortable as he can strike
the ball hard and runs fast… It’s pleasing that I played
a hand in finishing the game. That’s what I like doing.
On being adjudged MoM after 15
months (last being in Kochi, versus England)
Such awards are merely a recognition
of a significant contribution… The unbeaten 61 wouldn’t
have meant anything had we not won the match and the series…
Actually, till you reminded me, I didn’t realise my
last award was that far back…
On the celebrations
(Grins) Continued till
rather late in the night… We deserved to celebrate.
On the significance of winning
a series against South Africa for the first time overseas
After what happened in the
World Cup, it was important to beat one of the big teams…
Only recently, the South Africans were ranked No.1 and,
so, the win is going to give lots of confidence… It’s
never easy coming back from a 0-1 deficit, that too in conditions
which suited South Africa’s attack.
On just about everybody contributing
in the decider
Absolutely… In fact, the boys
did well throughout… Watching Sachin (Tendulkar) was such
a delight… He batted the way he did in his younger days…
Then, somebody like young Piyush Chawla bowled very well…
Cricket is a team sport and everybody has to contribute
in his role.
On the outcry after Team India’s
first-round exit from the World Cup
We didn’t do well, but
the reactions were in the extreme… Now, a lot of people
will shut up… Too many things were being said but, after
yesterday, that should change… Only those who’ve played
the game for some length of time are going to appreciate
the pressures faced by us cricketers… Passion is fine but,
at the end of the day, cricket is just a sport. Those who
get too emotional must remember that.
On Tuesday’s ODI
Any match versus Pakistan is
a big game… We’ve beaten South Africa and, some weeks
ago, they defeated Sri Lanka (in Abu Dhabi)… It should be
very competitive, provided there’s no interference
from the weather.
On the remainder of what is a
long tour
There’s even tougher cricket
coming up… I haven’t played a Test for a year and,
hopefully, I’ll get a chance… Of course, I realise
there’s so much competition… That’s why I didn’t
make the XI in Bangladesh…
Finally, on whether he’s
disappointed at not getting the vice-captaincy in ODIs
Any responsibility is an honour…
The selectors felt Dhoni is capable of doing a better job
and, believe me, I’m happy for him… It’s to Dhoni’s
advantage that he has got this responsibility so early in
his career… He’s a wonderful cricketer… I’m happy
being an ordinary member of the team… It’s not an issue
with me… I’m focusing on what’s there, not what
isn’t there. I live in the present. |
