Hyderabad, Nov 13:Having made India pay on Day 1 for sloppy fielding, Martin Guptill said on Friday that his teammates backed each other and remained positive throughout their innings. Guptill, who made a patient 85, made sure that he got a partnership going which ensured respectability to the visitor’s total.

Speaking to media persons, Guptill said that his team were never defensive and it was actually the bowling which kept their run-rate under check.

Excerpts:

On being caught behind off Sreesanth’s No ball:

I was pretty much in the tunnel, on the way out, when I got called back. I was pretty angry with myself, and was preparing to sit down and ponder about what happened. Getting called back gave me a second chance and I carried on from there.

On his 147-run stand with Tim McIntosh:

We were just telling each other to keep backing ourselves and be positive.

On the run-rate being slightly on the slower side:

The wicket is pretty flat, but the Indians bowled in some pretty demanding areas and we tailored our game to counter that.

On his homework to face spinners:

I’ve worked hard on playing spin over the last year or so. I was just telling myself to be positive. I showed intent and got through it very well. The wicket was pretty flat but I think we played pretty well. And the Indians were landing the ball in demanding areas.

On the track:

There is something in it for everybody. It has something more than to offer than the Ahmedabad wicket.