Hyderabad, Aug 25: India’s latest spin duo of R Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha has brought the team on the cusp of a win in the Hyderabad Test against New Zealand. Relishing the rare bounce in the wicket, the two came together to skittle New Zealand out for 159 in the first innings, thereby allowing skipper MS Dhoni to enforce the follow-on.

While it was Ashwin who hogged the limelight with figures of six for 31 in the first innings, two of Ojha’s three victims included the dangerous Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson, who is touted as New Zealand’s future batting star.

Before heavy rains ended Day 3 after just two sessions, Ojha had dismissed opener Martin Guptill. As India look to pick up the remaining nine Kiwi wickets on Day 4, local boy Ojha hopes he can make the Test special by picking up a five-wicket haul in his backyard.

On picking up three wickets

It was nice getting those wickets, especially playing on my home ground. I was wishing I could pick a five-wicket haul – that would’ve been really special. But I still [have] the second innings and I’m looking forward to doing well.

On whether it was the turn or bounce in the wicket that helped him more

There is definitely some bounce in the track. But now, in the second innings, it has started to turn more. Earlier, it was turning from the fourth stump line. Now it is turning from the middle stump. That’s a good sign for us and given how things have gone so far, we believe things will fall into place for us. We have two more days to go [and] the way we’re bowling, we’re confident of winning this Test.

On what adjustments he has to make while bowling on a spinner-friendly track as opposed to non-responsive ones

The best thing is to do the basics right and keep things simple. Especially in the Tests, you have to be disciplined because you’ve got to play with the patience of the batsman. When the ball is turning, it’s a bonus for you. You just have to pitch it there and let the batsman make a mistake.

On Ashwin as his spin partner

India has a legacy of having great spinners. And as young spinners, we look forward to following their footsteps. We have been picking wickets among ourselves. The way he’s bowled here, I’m confident the two of us can do the job in this and the coming Test.

On the difference between bowling with Harbhajan Singh and Ashwin

When I bowled with Bhajju Pa, I used to talk to him a lot. The amount of cricket that Bhajju Pa has played, he has a lot of experience that he shared with us. We, as young spinners, do miss that.

On whether he’s more attacking in his approach when bowling with Ashwin

I’ve never played as a restrictive bowler. It’s about bowling the way the team needs you to. When you’re bowling on the first day of a Test match, you cannot just come and attack and give easy runs to the batsmen. The game has changed a lot. Earlier, teams used to be happy to draw a Test, but now, everyone plays to win. If you play with the patience of the batsman and keep things tight, they will eventually succumb and make a mistake. That’s what I feel.