Birmingham, Aug 11: Even as the England batsmen clobbered the Indian bowlers all through Day 2 at Edgbaston, one pacer stood out for his determined performance. Praveen Kumar kept toiling hard despite misfields and dropped catches, bearing it all with a grin. A natural swinger of the ball, PK kept pegging at the unyielding batsmen, claiming two of the three wickets that fell.

The 24-year-old pacer from Uttar Pradesh gave away only 75 runs in his 32 overs for two wickets as England plundered runs off the bowling of others.

At the end of day’s play, PK spoke to the media in his usual matter-of-fact manner.

On it being a long day, unsuited to bowling

Yes, the conditions were a bit different today, something or the other was happening to the ball. There was a time when nothing was happening [there was no movement] and then suddenly there were one or two overs [where the ball would swing]. I was enjoying the bowling and trying to ensure that I bowl well and concede as few runs as possible.

On bowling 32 overs in long spells with a good economy rate (2.34 runs per over), and whether he had developed the habit while playing domestic cricket

Yes, I have the habit [of bowling long spells] and I like to bowl seven or eight overs at a time. I don’t really like to leave after three or four overs. I like bowling long spells.

On the plan-of-action for the day

The only plan was to not give away runs and then [if that is done] there is a chance of getting wickets. So the plan was to bowl well in one area.

On the conditions not aiding the bowlers

If the conditions are cloudy then the ball moves but the wicket was not of much help. The ball wasn’t cutting, an odd ball would fly, otherwise the ball was coming on well to the bat.

On the dropped catches and how it would have been a different scenario if they were held

That happens, [catches] are held and sometimes dropped but yes, if they were held it would have been better.

On enjoying his cricket and managing to smile regardless of the situation

It was a long day so it was necessary to smile, otherwise it [the pressure] gets to you. It is important to laugh and smile, we keep chatting, me [Suresh] Raina, Viru bhai [Virender Sehwag].