The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : ‘De Villiers’s knock took the match away from us’

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‘De Villiers’s knock took the match away from us’

Sports Reporter

Ahmedabad: The Indian captain Anil Kumble was disappointed at his side’s innings defeat, but denied any interference in the preparation of the pitch.

“I never issued any instructions and I’ve always agreed to play on what’s been given. It was going to be difficult to save the Test after the first innings. Coming back after falling for 76 was going to be tough.

“There was an even cover of grass on the wicket and it was important to see off the first hour. The score we managed was never going to be enough,” he said.

Defends bowlers

Kumble defended his bowlers even as he praised A.B. de Villiers.

“I think we tried our best under the conditions. I could not have asked for more from them. De Villiers’s double hundred was the difference between the two sides. His knock took the match away from us.”

When asked if the team suffered from lack of preparation, he said, “I don’t think so. If we look back at the first Test match, we scored more than 600 runs.”

Kumble also said that the team would do better in Kanpur.

“There will be pressure. It’s important for us to bounce back and we have the confidence we will bounce back,” he added.

South African captain Graeme Smith supported Kumble’s decision to bat first.

“There was definite help for the seamers early on, but I would have also not had any hesitation in batting first. We won because we utilised the conditions better,” said Smith.

When asked if the IPL acted as a distraction for the Indians, Smith refused to comment. “We received requests from team owners, which we refused. Our priority was the Test series and we stuck to it,” he said.

The wicket at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur is expected to play slow, but Smith is not worried. “We will continue playing the way we have been all this while. We’re not thinking of a draw before looking at the wicket,” he said.

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