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Kolkata: India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni gave credit to his lion-hearted bowlers for scripting the home team's dramatic series-levelling win over South Africa in the second Test on Thursday.
Dhoni said getting seven South African wickets in the final session of the opening day tilted the game in his team's favour and even though the side missed Zaheer Khan - who had strained a leg muscle on Wednesday, the likes of Harbhajan Singh and Amit Mishra shouldered the extra burden and delivered the goods.
"The bowlers were really great. The wicket did nothing on the first day. It was not a turner as such but Mishy (Mishra) and Bhajji bowled really well," Dhoni said after India beat South Africa to level the series and retain their number one Test team's status.
"Today we didn't have Zaheer and the bowlers bowled really well. We had lost one day's play and today we did not have Zaheer. We desperately wanted to be on the winning side because of the amount of effort that the three bowlers put in today," he said.
"Mishra bowled really well. It was good to see Ishant (Sharma) bowling with rhythm and pace and bowling in right areas. Bhajji too was brilliant. There is so much pressure on him ever since Anil Kumble retired. Every time he walks out, people expect him to get 3-4 wickets," Dhoni said.
The last South African pair of Hashim Amla and Morne Morkel made India wait agonisingly for over 20 overs before Harbhajan, who rediscovered himself in his happy hunting ground with eight crucial wickets, removed the Morkel to trigger off euphoria across the Eden Gardens.
Harbhajan said with time running out, he had his heart in his mouth.
Veteran batsman Sachin Tendulkar also cherished the moment and saluted the bowlers for their never-say-die spirit.
"It was a good Test and good to see the scoreboard saying that we remain the number one Test team," said the batsman who notched up his 47th Test ton in this match.
The Proteas skipper Graeme Smith felt his team should have batted better in the first essay and held their catches.
"We should have batted better in the first innings. We then came and dropped a few catches. The pitch (here) was still good," he said.
Lavishing praise on Amla, he said, "He has been outstanding through the series. He is become our glue at number three. I don't think any of us have seen him play better. He has a calm mind and has been working very hard. Great to see it coming together for me."
