Kohli denies underbowling Ashwin

India skipper says spinners were handicapped by the ball going soft on a pitch good for batting

RANCHI: India’s bowlers failed to deliver victory by taking eight Australian wickets on the final day of the third Test on Monday, but skipper Virat Kohli rejected suggestions he under-bowled main spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin.

The off-break bowler, who had led India’s bowling charge for most of the home season, was subdued in Ranchi and managed just one wicket each in either innings from 64 overs, failing to complement Ravindra Jadeja.

The left-arm spinner bowled a marathon 93.3 overs in the match, taking nine wickets, but Australia held on for a draw .

PITCH NOT HELPFUL

Unlike pitches for the first two Tests, the Ranchi track played well throughout with only the rough outside the left-hander’s off-stump at one end exploited by Jadeja.

Kohli said Jadeja’s fine spell played a part, and so did the state of the ball.

“The fast bowlers from the far end were more effective and the spinners were more effective from the commentary end,” Kohli said.

“Whenever Jadeja came to bowl, he picked up a wicket or two every three-four overs. It was very difficult to change him at that stage because he was bowling in good momentum. That was one of the factors.

“In the second innings, he bowled quite a few overs and we used him from both ends. It was difficult for the bowlers to generate much from the pitch. “

BALL WENT SOFT

kohli said: “Jadeja, you can leave him aside, because he really stood apart among the bowlers. Generally bowlers found it difficult to make things happen from the centre of the wicket. The key was to keep trying and that’s what Ashwin always does, and he put his best effort in both the innings.”

“The hardness of the ball was a big factor,” Kohli said. “When the ball was new last night, it spun well off the rough. Even this morning, it was spinning well. But in the middle session, the ball was not hard, so could not generate that kind of pace from the wicket.”

NEW BALL HELPS

With the second new ball, Jadeja dismissed Shaun Marsh for 53 and Ashwin got newcomer Glenn Maxwell, but Australia had ensured a draw by then. “On day five, wicket slows down anyway. We took the new ball and got a couple of wickets. But the hardness of the ball in the middle session was a factor.”

Aussie skipper Steve Smith though brushed that aside. “I haven’t really thought about it. We both use the same ball, you just got to do what you can with it,” he said..

SHOWING ‘DISRESPECT’

Allegations and denials flew thick and fast between Virat Kohli and Steven Smith with the India skipper claiming the home team physio Patrick Farhart was insulted by Aussie players.

Kohli alleged some Australians taunted Australian Farhart ,but Smith denied the claim. “Virat was having a go at me saying I was disrespecting Patrick. He did a terrific job to get Virat out on the field. He is a terrific physio,” he said.

Kohli was asked about it by an Australian journalist. He asked him why he was trying to rake up controversy.

However, he said: “They started taking Patrick’s name. I don’t know why. He’s our physio. His job is to treat me. I don’t find the reason behind it. I could not understand. You must ask why they have started taking his name.”

Glenn Maxwell was the first to tap his shoulder after a diving stop, which was seen as mocking Kohli’s injury. The Indian skipper tapped his shoulder after David Warner was dismissed on the fourth evening.