'We will go for a win' - Laxman
Danish Kaneria and VVS Laxman at the post-match press conference
Siddhartha Vaidyanathan in Bangalore
27-Mar-2005
In a match dominated by batsmen, Danish Kaneria displayed tremendous perseverance to finish with a five-wicket haul as Pakistan pushed for a series-levelling win. If they fall short tomorrow, it will be partly attributed to VVS Laxman's dogged effort today as he and Anil Kumble thwarted the Pakistanis for close to an hour and a half. Kaneria and Laxman spoke to the press at the end of the day.
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Danish Kaneria
On comparing his performance here to the effort at Kolkata
The wicket here suited me much more than the Kolkata pitch. I was also suffering because of dehydration at Kolkata and couldn't get into the right rhythm. Here I found my rhythm early and it worked out well.
The wicket here suited me much more than the Kolkata pitch. I was also suffering because of dehydration at Kolkata and couldn't get into the right rhythm. Here I found my rhythm early and it worked out well.
On whether he had a specific plan for Sourav Ganguly
Nothing was planned for Ganguly. He was dropped of the earlier ball so I thought he would try and come down the track and attack me. I thought he might want to disturb my length and sent down a googly. That's exactly what happened and he was stumped.
Nothing was planned for Ganguly. He was dropped of the earlier ball so I thought he would try and come down the track and attack me. I thought he might want to disturb my length and sent down a googly. That's exactly what happened and he was stumped.
On tomorrow
I am confident of giving it my 101% and bowling India out tomorrow. We will surely be trying our best for a win.
I am confident of giving it my 101% and bowling India out tomorrow. We will surely be trying our best for a win.
On the pitch
It has deteriorated day by day. The ball was turning today but it was mainly slow turn. But if a bowler is willing to put in some effort then he can surely get some turn. Considering it will be a fifth-day wicket, it will surely help me. The bowlers haven't done much in this game so far because of the pitch and also because of some extraordinary innings played. But it depends on the day tomorrow and I am confident of doing well.
It has deteriorated day by day. The ball was turning today but it was mainly slow turn. But if a bowler is willing to put in some effort then he can surely get some turn. Considering it will be a fifth-day wicket, it will surely help me. The bowlers haven't done much in this game so far because of the pitch and also because of some extraordinary innings played. But it depends on the day tomorrow and I am confident of doing well.
On the declaration
I think it is a fighting target.
I think it is a fighting target.
On his own performance over the last few months
My confidence has improved after every performance. County cricket definitely helped me because I learnt to bowl on pitches that didn't suit me.
My confidence has improved after every performance. County cricket definitely helped me because I learnt to bowl on pitches that didn't suit me.
On the key wicket tomorrow
Definitely Rahul Dravid. He is a big player - the Wall as they say - and he is the one batsman who can prevent us from winning. Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag are also very dangerous but Dravid will be the main wicket.
Definitely Rahul Dravid. He is a big player - the Wall as they say - and he is the one batsman who can prevent us from winning. Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag are also very dangerous but Dravid will be the main wicket.
VVS Laxman
On the strategy tomorrow
We will definitely go for a win. The start is very important. We have had fantastic starts throughout the series from both Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir. The strategy will be based on the start tomorrow.
We will definitely go for a win. The start is very important. We have had fantastic starts throughout the series from both Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir. The strategy will be based on the start tomorrow.
On his innings today
I was disappointed at not reaching a hundred. It was not my usual type of free-flowing innings but I had to adapt to the situation.
I was disappointed at not reaching a hundred. It was not my usual type of free-flowing innings but I had to adapt to the situation.
On batting with the tail
It's a different experience at No. 5 or 6. One has to adjust to the situation. It's also important to have confidence in the tailenders' batting ability. All our tailenders have done well in the recent past and there is a lot of competition in the lower order now. Lakshmipathy Balaji did well at Mohali. Harbhajan Singh and Kumble had a good partnership at Kolkata. And Irfan Pathan has batted well earlier. I just tell them to hang in there.
It's a different experience at No. 5 or 6. One has to adjust to the situation. It's also important to have confidence in the tailenders' batting ability. All our tailenders have done well in the recent past and there is a lot of competition in the lower order now. Lakshmipathy Balaji did well at Mohali. Harbhajan Singh and Kumble had a good partnership at Kolkata. And Irfan Pathan has batted well earlier. I just tell them to hang in there.
On a few tailenders throwing away their wickets irresponsibly
It is disappointing but the tailenders can also benefit from going for their shots. So it works both ways.
It is disappointing but the tailenders can also benefit from going for their shots. So it works both ways.
Siddhartha Vaidyanathan is on the staff of Cricinfo.