In what came as a surprise move, Karn Sharma made his Test debut as he edged out off-spinner R Ashwin for the lone spinner’s slot.
On a largely batting-friendly surface Karn couldn’t make much of an impression but the leg-spinner felt he can be more effective from the third day onwards when the pitch will likely offer turn.
“It was very good for us that we came back in the last session. We just want to continue that in the morning tomorrow and get the remaining wickets. This pitch is good for batting; there is neither turn nor is there much bounce. If we can bowl them out early, then it will be good for us,” said Karn, who claimed the wicket of David Warner while giving away 89 runs in his 23 overs.
Having come to know of his debut on the morning of the match, Karn said his strategy was to stick to basics.
“It was good that I had confidence in me that I will get a chance sooner or later but getting the chance in the first match is very good for me.
“Basically my aim is to bowl good line and length which I have been doing in T20s and one-dayers. I am happy with the way I bowled today, I broke a crucial partnership.”
While admitting that the pacemen were a bit short in length, Karn said they did well to pull back things towards the end.
“That was a team strategy (bowling around the wicket), we were a bit short on length but we did well. But bowling bouncers was bowlers’ choice, nobody forced them.”
Australian batsman David Warner too felt Indians did well to claim some late wickets. “I thought they were a bit too short (in length) and bowled a bit wide. They couldn’t make use of the early swing that was there but they did well to come back and claim some wickets towards the end.”
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