By Ashish Shukla
A debut can be a nervy affair at the best of times but not for Indian pacer Praveen Kumar, who said he didn't feel it was the first Test of his career as he snared three West Indian wickets in the ongoing match.
Published: Jun 22, 2011, 10:52 AM (IST)
Edited: Jun 22, 2011, 10:52 AM (IST)
Praveen Kumar took three wickets in the first innings © AFP
By Ashish Shukla
Kingston (Jamaica): Jun 22, 2011
A debut can be a nervy affair at the best of times but not for Indian pacer Praveen Kumar, who said he didn’t feel it was the first Test of his career as he snared three West Indian wickets in the ongoing match.
Praveen’s 3/38 was instrumental in India bowling out the hosts for 173 in their first innings but it wasn’t all perfect for the pacer as the umpire stopped him from bowling after he treaded on to the good length area of the pitch in his follow-through.
Umpire Daryl Harper stopped Praveen after he had sent down his 18th over.
“It’s the very first time. It has never ever happened to me. Nobody has ever spoken to me (in a match). In a way it’s good that I found this out in my very first Test. I can now work on it,” Praveen said at the end of second day’s play yesterday during which India took a 164-run lead by reaching 91 for three in their second innings.
It was strange for Praveen to keep repeating the mistake even though he had been warned twice by the umpire. “I was bowling well and focusing on the batsmen rather than at my follow through. I just didn’t remember I had been warned twice!” he revealed.
The young medium-pacer from Uttar Pradesh said he enjoyed tremendously bowling in his very first Test.
“To tell the truth, I never felt as if I was playing my first Test. I was quite enjoying myself and the ball was swinging either way.”
Praveen felt he was lucky that he could find his rhythm after only two overs.
“In this heat, it was important I found my rhythm early. Fortunately, I found my rhythm after only two overs.”
© PTI
