We have to take it in our stride - Sehwag
After three-and-a-half days were lost to rain, Virender Sehwag enthralled the patience crowd with a quick-fire 36 off just 28 balls
Cricinfo staff
05-Dec-2005
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After three-and-a-half days were lost to rain, Virender Sehwag enthralled the patient crowd with a quick-fire 36 off just 28 balls. Later he and Mahela Jayawardene spoke to the media.
Virender Sehwag
On the conditions
The pitch was slow, ball wasn't coming on to the bat, and it was also a little low. Maybe that's why I played a little early and got out.
On how the team prepared through all the delays
The preparation was good over the last few days. We talked a lot in the team meetings, had some plans for the Sri Lankan batsmen and bowlers. I think it will come in handy in the second Test match.
On coping with the delay
It was very hard because we were sitting in the hotel for the last three days. It's tough, but we are professionals, and have to take it in our stride. We are now back in Test-match mode, which is good for us and for Sri Lanka as well.
On his positive approach from ball one
I wasn't looking at it like a one-day game. The SG Test ball doesn't swing when it is new, but after 10 overs, it will start to reverse. With that in mind, I started playing my shots with the new ball. I knew that after it gets old and with the track keeping low, it will be hard to score runs.
On starting play in the afternoon
All credit and praise to the groundsman. We were not convinced that there would be any game, but he and his staff worked very hard.
On how batsmen could play on this pitch
If you are patient, it's not so tough. It's not easy to get batsmen out. It may be low, but it's also very slow. There's no great turn. Maybe if we had played for two days, there would be some help for the bowlers. But not now.
On his dismissal
I'm not worried. I'm in good nick. It's just a matter of one big innings. I am pretty sure it will come in the next two games.
Mahela Jayawardene
On how the warm-up match in Bangalore helped
From that game, we had a fair idea of how the wicket would behave in these conditions. Our bowlers learnt a lot from that game and they were very diciplined. We were able to set fields accordingly as well.
On Chaminda Vaas
He's a classy bowler, who knows the ins and outs of sub-continental wickets. He exploited that. The good thing will be if the other guys can learn from him to bowl the right areas, be patient and get rewarded for patience.
On getting an early breakthrough
Gautam [Gambhir] has been batting well, so it was important for us to start proceedings on the right note. [Virender] Sehwag did play a few shots, but we knew it wouldn't be that comfortable out there as long as we put the ball in the right place.
On batting concerns after the drubbing in the ODI series
Test match cricket is altogether different. The batting is not questionable; we just didn't get that much practice in the three-day game. We had practice indoors, prepared ourselves to just go out there and perform. I don't think the batting is a cause for concern.
On expectations for the final day
Hopefully, it will stay clear and the sun will come out. We'll try and get out there and get some cricket. The first objective is to try and get the Indians out. If not, it doesn't matter, we'll go to Delhi and continue our preparations.