London, July 24: Claiming a four-for in England’s second innings, Ishant Sharma was the pick of the Indian bowlers on Day 4 of the first Test match here at Lord’s. Speaking to the media at the end of day’s play, he explained what had gone wrong for him in the first innings.

Excerpts:

On making adjustments to his bowling length in the second innings

It’s the first time that I am playing a Test match at Lord’s; there is a slope and I didn’t know about that [or] how to adjust to the slope. I was speaking to Zak [Zaheer Khan] about my bowling and how to bowl in these conditions. It’s a learning process for me; I think now [I] understand […] [I] am going to bowl this kind of length. Sorry about that, in my next match I will do that.

On the error of trying to emulate Zaheer Khan

I tried to bowl the kind of length he [Zaheer Khan] bowled but then I realised that’s not my natural length. I need to stick to my strong point so I am doing my basics right [and] that makes my cricket easy.

On whether he is comfortable now after having discussed the issue with Zaheer Khan

Yeah, I am feeling happy and comfortable now. He [Zaheer Khan] told me even before the first innings, “You should bowl from the other end because there is a slope on the other side. The ball can hold the line and then you can get a nick or something.” I didn’t listen to him in the first innings, went with my gut feeling and bowled from this end. Now I have [paid heed to his advice] and bowled from the other end.

On the status of Gautam Gambhir’s injury

Hopefully he can bat tomorrow but the way VVS [Laxman ] bhai and Rahul [Dravid] bhai are playing, I don’t think we need anyone; but let’s see. I don’t know much about it [the injury and the doctor’s advice].

On the mood in the Indian camp

The thing about the Indian cricket team is that whatever the situation is, the dressing room is always calm, focussed and happy. That is the nice thing about our dressing room.