WTC Final: Day 4 Post-match Press Conference India Transcript
[Reporter:]
[Speaking in Hindi]
As you saw today, it was a big total, big partnerships were needed - the wickets fell in the beginning, was it unlucky that the first wicket was a close call? It could have gone either way.
[Mohammed Shami:]
Yes, one could have taken some time, it's the World Test Championship final, not a normal match that you let go. It should have been checked better, zoomed in, but it’s okay, it's part of the game.
[Reporter:]
You have bowled on this pitch; do you think the pitch has slowed down? Like we saw – we didn’t get to see as much uneven bounce as before?
[Mohammed Shami:]
Yes, because in Test matches, the wickets slow down continuously, because you play back-to-back for five days. And I don't think the wicket was fully prepared for the World Championship final. It wasn’t fully prepared, but the wicket changes day by day.
[Reporter:]
In the last 2-3 years, it has happened many times against Australia that you lose a winning match on the last day - they have lost to you in Gabba. Does that give you confidence that if you don't lose wickets early, you can put them under pressure?
[Mohammed Shami:]
If you look at the fun of Test matches, I think it is when they are decided on the final day, because that is what is a Test match. I think we have played some good series against Australia in the past 3-4 years, and they have performed very well. They have fought well and taken the matches to their side. So, the matches have been very good, hopefully the final day will be good.
[Reporter:]
You always try to bowl a lot - but Shardul and Amish didn't bowl that much before coming here. How difficult was the challenge for them? Because they didn't play as much in the IPL as you and Siraj did.
[Mohammed Shami:]
The team combination, the bowling unit, makes us play with this playing eleven. I try my best to fulfil the responsibility that I have been given. And when you bowl with four fast bowlers, it is very important to trust each other. Some have good days, some don't. So, it is very important to be a unit. So, there is no need to mind it too much. Tomorrow my day can be bad, so they will bowl more. So, there is no need to mind it.
[Reporter:]
Do you believe India can win this Test? I know you weren't there in Sydney and in Brisbane, but how much does the thought of those matches come into the dressing room right now?
[Mohammed Shami:]
100% everyone believes that tomorrow we will win the match. Because we have always fought. We perform well around the world, not only here. So, we believe and we always come together to win this match. It doesn't matter what happened in Sydney or Brisbane, we are now playing here. We have to think about tomorrow and we will win the match.
[Reporter:]
There has been quite a bit of discussion about Cameron Green's catch. I just wondered what you and the Indian dressing room felt about his catch.
[Mohammed Shami:]
Nothing much. This is part of the game. The umpires take a call. So, it is part of the game. We don't think too much. Let's see tomorrow what happens.
[Reporter:]
In such a situation, the Indian team has chased before on the last day. Do you think this is part of the game and there is some pressure on the last day?
[Mohammed Shami:]
No, because there are many conditions. Especially when you play a Test match. I believe that the Test match should go till the fifth day and maybe till the last session. That's the real test. So, according to me, we have to bat well and they have to bowl well to save themselves. So, it is very important that both teams focus on that.
[Reporter:]
Can you repeat what you said to Mel. Rohit or Pujara- when they came back did they tell you how the pitch is behaving? Tomorrow Kohli and Rahane are still there and you need 280 runs more – so what type of – more than patience, what will you need?
[Mohammed Shami:]
According to me, if you bat well, 280 runs - is not too much to get. So, according to me, you should bat normally as you would in a Test match. You should focus on playing ball by ball. You should not look at the long goals. So, according to me, chances of success are higher when you keep small goals and targets So, according to me, you should play normally.
[Reporter:]
Just wondering how much pain Ajinkya Rahane is battling through out there? we know yesterday he had some finger issues from the number of balls – has he spoken about how much pain he's in and how he's gripping the bat?
[Mohammed Shami:]
He can tell that better if you ask him, but he's batting well. I hope that he will bat well tomorrow too, focusing just on cricket. This is the spirit of sport- even if you are hurt, you play.
[Reporter:]
Shami bhai, you said twice that this match should go till the last session. Everyone dreams of winning the World Cup final. Are you thinking of batting and hitting the winning the run?
[Mohammed Shami:]
I am always ready because wherever there is a need, especially in England, there is a need to get partnerships. I think everyone can bat in this Indian team. Hopefully, we will win tomorrow.
[Reporter:]
And you will make the winning runs.
[Mohammed Shami:]
Yes.