Kanpur: Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, who tormented the New Zealand batsmen with his five-for, said it was Kane Williamson's dismissal by R Ashwin in the morning session which proved to be a game-changer for the hosts.
Ashwin bowled a peach of a delivery to clean bowl the Kiwi captain as India reduced the visitors from overnight 152 for one to 238 for five by lunch on day three of the first Test at Green Park.
Ashwin picks 4/93 in 1st innings https://t.co/xAOkpVTRs5 #BCCI #INDvsNZ #500thTest
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"We knew that it is Kane who can really bat for long in their line-up. The plan was to get him out. We knew others can't bat for long hours. We got four wickets in the morning session and that was game-changing," Jadeja said at a press conference at the end of day's play.
Asked to speak about the ball that got Williamson out, Jadeja said, "It was a good ball. It came through the bat and pad. It was a fantastic ball."
Jadeja was seen talking to coach Anil Kumble before the start of play. The spinner said he received a lot of tips from the stalwart, who is the format's third highest-wicket taker in the world.
Terrific Jadeja picks another five-for https://t.co/Lrfzf6qgKb #BCCI #INDvsNZ #500thTest
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"He asked me to bowl in rough areas and look for angles and bowling from wide off the crease. There were a lot of footmarks around the off stump area. He told me that those marks will have a bearing on the minds of the batsmen," he said.
Jadeja and Ashwin were bowling well in tandem on Friday before the skies opened up and washed out the final session.
He was asked if it was tough to catch the same rhythm?
"There is not much that we changed. We knew we have to get one wicket and two-three can fall immediately after that. They were trying to play shots and we knew they will make one or other mistake. We bowled from outside off stump, built pressure and executed our plans well," he said.
Six of the New Zealand batsmen got LBW decisions on Saturday. Jadeja said they are so used to playing on such pitches and conditions that they don't have to think differently to perform at home.
"I have been playing on these pitches for the last so many years. Since my Under-14, Under 16, Under 19 days, I have played on similar pitches, same conditions. We have also played on underprepared pitches so that gives you experience," he said.
