New Delhi : In an indirect attack on his cricket board, West Indies’ veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who en route his 24th Test century became the second highest run scorer in the Caribbean after Brian Lara, said he has never been given the credit for scoring 9,604 runs.
Chanderpaul was asked by the selectors to retire from the ODIs earlier in the year but he made a strong comeback, especially with the unbeaten 111 here Sunday on the opening day of the first Test against India at the Ferozshah Kotla.
Asked if he felt bad that no one has given him the credit for being a prolific scorer for the West Indies, Chanderpaul said: “I think so… I’m not too sure.. but I think so. I was just playing my game and focused on that.”
On the selection controversy, Chanderpaul said: “I stick to what I think and what I can control. There is stuff that I cannot control. I don’t think about them. I am only focussed on scoring runs.”
Chanderpaul also lauded teenage batsman Kraigg Bratwhaite (63), who scored his second Test fifty and the two saved the day for the visitors, who were struggling at 72/3 before closing the first day at 256/5.
“He (Bratwhaite) played really well. He played his way which is very patient. He did his job. A couple of times he got past 50 and I hope next time he gets a big total,” he said.
Chanderpaul said the wicket is still good but hoped it to stay low as the match progresses.
Asked about his innings, Chanderpaul said: “The wicket was pretty good. More than being aggressive it was about being patient out there.”
Being the only Test specialist in the side with the experience of having played 136 matches, Chanderpaul said there was no burden on him.
“We just finished the series in Bangladesh where young players scored a lot of runs. I try to help youngsters. While batting with them, I point out things,” he said.
Chanderpaul said India’s spin duo of Pragyan Ojha and debutant Ravichandran Ashwin did well.
“The spinners were very good. The other debutant Umesh (Yadav) also bowled well in bits and piece but there was not much help in the wicket for him,” he said.
IANS
