MUMBAI, Dec 7: The inability of both Sri Lankan and Indian bowlers to win matches came to the fore when captains Sachin Tendulkar and Arjuna Ranatunga reflected on the Test series that concluded without a result at the Wankhede Stadium today.Four successive draws in two Test series couldn't have highlighted it any better. "It is due to the sort of wickets and the bowlers both sides have," remarked Ranatunga. Tendulkar too stressed upon it while dwelling on India's dry run. "The most important thing is that the bowlers will have to work harder and also take a lot of wickets," he said after inclement weather had robbed his team of victory this evening."The batsmen too made mistakes, but it is important that the whole team learns from it," explained Tendulkar.There were positive shades too, for both the leaders. While Ranatunga found it quite satisfying to return home without losing a series in India, Tendulkar's gratification came in the form of his team acquiring the knack of taking the initiative."The only positive aspect from the series was that we have learnt to take the initiative which we displayed in the last two games. What the team needs now is a win," opined the Indian skipper.On the concluding day's proceedings of the Test, Tendulkar admitted that a third spinner in the side would have made a lot of difference. However, he was quick to indicate that he went by the scenario on the first day. "It was a damp track and I had thought the hardness and the movement for the seamers would last for the next four days. Hence, our decision to use three seamers," he clarified.Ranatunga disclosed that his team went into the defensive mode once the openers were dismissed early. "We had planned for a 100 runs till lunch and then accelerate. However, Sanath (Jayasuriya) and Maravan (Atapattu) got out at the wrong time," he said, and added that "it was difficut to bat on a wicket that was turning. You also need a lot of luck to win."The usage of floodlights in Test cricket also came up for discussion during the post-match chat. However, Tendulkar felt that since it had not been in effect during a first-class match, it would be unfair to the players.He was content on paceman Javagal Srinath and leg-spinner Anil Kumble's performances, saying: "Srinath is bowling as quick as he did in South Africa. Kumble bowled well but he was unlucky."The Indian coach Anshuman Gaekwad perceived that the team did extremely well "considering the safety approach of the Lankans." Besides, he said, "we took our chances and were eager for a win."The former Indian opener, however, shouldered arms when questioned about the wisdom of the National selectors in announcing a team for a tour during the course of a match. "It is not within our purview. It is entirely the Board's decision and we don't have a say in it," he replied. But doesn't it affect the team morale? "Well, that's the way it is," was all that Gaekwad had to say.Accolades for track: Despite the Test ending in a stalemate, the Wankhede Stadium rectangle came out trumps if the reactions of Tendulkar and match referee Bobby Simpson are any indication.Tendulkar termed the track as one of the best that he has played in the country and exhorted the need for such pitches for the domestic tournaments. "The credit should go to the groundsmen and the curator for preparing an execellent track," he said. "International cricket is played on hard and bouncy tracks and the players in the domestic circuit should get used to the bounce and pace on such tracks," he added.But the best commendation came from the former Australian skipper Simpson. "It is the best wicket I have seen in all my experience in India. Wickets like these produce good cricket. It is a great beginning," he said.For once, the curator, former Mumbai wicket-keeper Subhash Bandiwdekar, had the last laugh after being ridiculed for preparing "turning" tracks for the Irani Trophy and Challenger Series matches.
