We gave slightly more runs in the last session: Paras Mhambrey

Usman Khawaja scored a scintillating century on Day one of the fourth Test against India in Ahmedabad to power Australia in a commanding position on 255 for the loss of four wickets at the stumps. 

The visiting side made optimum use of the batting-friendly conditions on offer and displayed an array of strokes against an Indian attack which lacked consistency and discipline. 

Rohit Sharma made one change, replacing Mohammed Shami with Mohammed Siraj, and the bowling coach, Paras Mhambrey, cited the management managing the workload of the speedster in the post-match press conference.  

“You have to take a call as you also have to look at the individual workload of each bowler. The way we looked at Shami, we needed to give him that break, and it was an opportunity for us for someone like Siraj or Umesh also gets a game," he said. 

"Looking ahead after this series, we have the World Test Championship Final, and we need to look at that as well. Going ahead, we have to see that everyone gets an opportunity, but I don’t see that as a problem. You have to at times, rotate bowlers, and it is important for players as well," he further added. 

The 50-year-old also shared insights on the surface on offer in Ahmedabad and stated that it was the best for batting on the first day.

“In the first session, they batted well. Initially, the runs that were leaked it was a bit more, but the second session was good for us. As the ball got old, run-scoring became difficult, and the last session became difficult."

"We conceded 56 in the last 10 overs, and I thought the game slightly drifted from us there. If it was 220-4 by the end of the day, it would have been good for us. We gave slightly more runs in the last session," he further added. 

One of the talking points in this series has been the under-utilization of Axar Patel, who bowled just 12 overs. However, the bowling coach insisted that the two spinners would get a longer run and insisted Axar would get his time on day two. 

“On a spinner-friendly track, two bowlers will get a longer run than the third spinner. So sometimes, when two spinners are in rhythm, and as a captain, when a left-hander is batting, Ashwin will get a longer run. 

"But tomorrow in the first spell, you will see Axar. He has played enough cricket to know his role in the team, and that won't affect his rhythm," he concluded.