I was looking forward to a lot more, says Sai Sudharsan after missing ton against West Indies
New Delhi (PTI): India No. 3 Sai Sudharsan on Friday admitted he was eyeing a big score against the West Indies after falling short of what would have been his maiden century in Test cricket during the first day's play in the second match here.
Sudharsan, who was under some pressure after missing out in the first Test in Ahmedabad where India routed the West Indies by an innings and 140 runs, struck a fine 87 for his highest knock in the format.
Having made his Test debut during England tour, Sudharsan had scored 61 in the first innings of the Manchester Test for his maiden fifty and remains in hunt of a maiden triple figure score.
"I am definitely grateful for whatever I've done today but there's always a monkey in our mind that wants more, wants that hundred and so I was looking forward to a lot more," Sudharsan, who made 87 off 165 balls with 12 fours, told the broadcaster after the match.
In the company of opener Yashasvi Jaiswal who struck an unbeaten 173, Sudharsan put the West Indies attack to the sword with a robust 193-run stand for the second wicket.
He said he was looking to bat freely in this innings.
"It was a good contribution and very good partnership with (Yashasvi) Jaiswal. I was not thinking about getting runs, I was a bit more free and I expressed a bit better in this innings," Sudharsan said.
"I was able to take a bit more time and let things happen instead of trying to make things happen."
"It's fascinating and so thrilling to watch him from the other end. He plays a lot of exciting shots. He converts a lot of good balls into boundaries, so it's really good to watch. He's giving me more awareness of what kind of shots to be played," he said.
Sudharsan said he is trying to be judicious with his shot selection.
"There's no competing there, but I am learning a lot more and being more aware of what shots to play if I want to convert good balls into runs," he said.
The 23-year-old Sudharsan's innings was cut short when a delivery from Jomel Warrican turned in sharply from outside off and hit his back leg in front of the wickets.
The dismissal was somewhat similar to how he fell in the Ahmedabad Test, being hit on the back foot by a delivery from Roston Chase that skidded off the surface and beat his defence.
Sudharsan said the pitch here at the Arun Jaitley Stadium was keeping low and there was some turn from the surface already.
"I feel it's staying a bit low and it will start to turn more from tomorrow. Even when you hit the ball, it's not flying off your bat. Hopefully off the rough it will start turning," he said.
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National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
New Delhi/Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he will ask for time from Delhi police to appear before them next week, to provide required information as part of the probe into the National Herald case.
He said he will seek time after the ongoing winter session of Karnataka legislature ends on December 19. He will also ask the Delhi police to provide him the FIR copy.
Shivakumar, who is in the national capital, had earlier said that he will appear before the Delhi police on Monday. But, he postponed the plan in order to rush back to Karnataka to participate in the last rites of veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, scheduled later in the day in Davangere.
"I had to go (to appear before the Delhi police), but I have to go back urgently. I'm asking them for time, stating that I will come next week," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi.
"They (Delhi police) have not attached the FIR copy while issuing notice to me. I need FIR copy, because we had already given all the required replies to the ED. I don't know what the FIR says, I only read in papers. They have given notice, I will ask for a FIR copy. I will come next week after the Assembly session."
The Delhi Police had issued a notice to Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case.
The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the notice dated November 29, the EOW had asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.
Investigators have sought details about his personal background, his association with the Congress party, and a complete break up of funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.
To a question on meeting AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, amid the ongoing power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister post, Shivakumar said when he comes to Delhi, he usually meets every one.
"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I will meet everyone. During lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have met everyone. What's wrong?" he asked.
Shivakumar was in Delhi to take part in Congress' "Vote Chori" rally on Sunday, and had also participated in the lunch organised by the party for its leaders.
Responding to a question, whether any meeting is planned with leaders today, the Deputy CM said, he and Kharge will be travelling together to Karnataka, to pay last respects to Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.
Asked if he will seek time for a separate meeting with Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi, during the next visit to Delhi, Sivakumar said, "such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."
