Chennai:
Elated with his team’s 1-0 series victory over India A, Australia A captain Usman Khawaja today said that the hosts getting all out for 135 in the first innings made all the difference in the second unofficial ‘Test’ match, which his side won by 10 wickets here.
“I think we batted well. They (India A) were positive and put some pressure on us in the second innings. But it is very hard to make a come back into the game after getting out for 135. That was the mistake in the first innings,” said Khawaja when asked if he felt that the Indian batsmen failed to read the pitch as much as he and his team did.
“Whenever we had come to India, they have shown us how to bat on slow and spinning wickets. It is always easy to score runs when the wicket is better. That is the difference,” he said after the match today.
Stating that his team played as an unit, the skipper said: “It was not just a win but it is a really good win. Credit to everyone. (Cameron) Bancroft got a big hundred and that kind stuff will win games for you. Credit to the bowlers as their performances were excellent throughout the game.”
Khawaja said he was happy to have finished the match early.
“I am very happy that we won the game soon after it started this morning. Obviously, It is a big plus for us. Obviously we came here to win. I have been involved with the Australian team that came to India. It is huge that we won by 10 wickets.
“Obviously Bancroft got a good catch (dismissing Shreyas Gopal) and then we just got going. I know the wicket was turning and so I started with two spinners and fortunately they bowled very well. There were games where the last four wickets have taken a long time to fall. Fortunately, the wickets fell quickly. Then, it was the best way to chase the runs to win the game,” said Khawaja.
On whether sledging yesterday between Abhinav Mukund and Australian players could have been avoided, he said: “It was not that much. We were just having a bit of fun. There was nothing or it got over the line.
“Same thing happened between Davis Warner and Virat Kohli when they came to Australia and I think it is good for the game. If they do not cross the line, it makes it entertaining. I like watching it. I do not hold anything against anyone on the field as long as they do not cross the line. I think most players know their line,” Khawaja explained.
