'We need to stay positive' - Harbhajan
Harbhajan Singh conceded that India had an uphill task to get back in the game, but expressed his happiness at taking a five-wicket haul
Andrew Miller in Bangalore
24-Jun-2005
Harbhajan Singh conceded that India had an uphill task to get back in the game, but expressed his happiness at taking a five-wicket haul. Here's what he had to say after close of play on the second day of the Bangalore Test:
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On the state of the game
Australia batted really well, and we have to do something special tomorrow to get back into the game.
Australia batted really well, and we have to do something special tomorrow to get back into the game.
On Michael Clarke's innings
Clarke played a sensible innings. He's a good young player who uses his feet well, and even though he's playing his first game, he's very confident.
Clarke played a sensible innings. He's a good young player who uses his feet well, and even though he's playing his first game, he's very confident.
On his passionate reaction after dismissing Adam Gilchrist
It was good to take that wicket. I was glad to break the partnership, because it had been great for Australia but not so good for us. I reacted with anger, because I like to be fired up. Sometimes you play best when you're angry, but sometimes it doesn't work.
It was good to take that wicket. I was glad to break the partnership, because it had been great for Australia but not so good for us. I reacted with anger, because I like to be fired up. Sometimes you play best when you're angry, but sometimes it doesn't work.
On the state of the pitch
The wicket was difficult to bowl on, because we were not getting much response from it. On the first day it was good for batting, but now it's turning a bit but is still slow. We'll have to see how it goes in the second innings. We have the kind of batsmen and the right bowling attack to put Australia under pressure.
The wicket was difficult to bowl on, because we were not getting much response from it. On the first day it was good for batting, but now it's turning a bit but is still slow. We'll have to see how it goes in the second innings. We have the kind of batsmen and the right bowling attack to put Australia under pressure.
On the reminder his haul sends to Australia
To take five wickets was definitely a boost to my confidence. It was my first Test back after injury, and five wickets is always good, especially against Australia. It doesn't matter how you play or how many runs you concede, it always lifts the confidence, and it will be fun to play in the next match and the next innings. I can't predict what will happen next, but to get five wickets is always special.
To take five wickets was definitely a boost to my confidence. It was my first Test back after injury, and five wickets is always good, especially against Australia. It doesn't matter how you play or how many runs you concede, it always lifts the confidence, and it will be fun to play in the next match and the next innings. I can't predict what will happen next, but to get five wickets is always special.
On whether India can turn it around
That all depends on how we bat in the second innings. We have done it before, and we'll be doing our best to make a game of it. You never know, we could be capable of doing it again. The key is to stay positive, and play to our potential. If we can do that, then no matter how the wicket breaks up, we'll hold on.
That all depends on how we bat in the second innings. We have done it before, and we'll be doing our best to make a game of it. You never know, we could be capable of doing it again. The key is to stay positive, and play to our potential. If we can do that, then no matter how the wicket breaks up, we'll hold on.
On the impact of Glenn McGrath's early wickets
McGrath is a great bowler, and his wickets came at a very good time for Australia. It was very good for him, but not for us.
McGrath is a great bowler, and his wickets came at a very good time for Australia. It was very good for him, but not for us.