Sachin Tendulkar today blamed India's batting collapse against Bangladesh in the first Test to his teammates' poor shot selection but asserted that the match was not over yet.
On a track that had no demon in it, the Indians got off to a flying start before losing six wickets in the post-lunch session. Tendulkar's unbeaten 76 saved India blushes as the visitors reached 213 for eight at stumps.
"The batsmen needed to be patient, tighten up shot selection and hang around for a while to build partnerships," Tendulkar said at the end of day's play.
"But it did not happen today. But the game is not over yet. It is a long way to go," he stressed.
Derided by stand-in India captain Virender Sehwag as an "ordinary" Test side which lacked the firepower to take 20 wickets, Bangladesh were charged up today and Tendulkar said the host bowlers exploited the early damp conditions on the pitch to good effect.
"Bangladesh bowlers exploited the conditions quite well. There was moisture on the wicket for a long while. Their spinners gripped the ball well and got turn due to the damp conditions. Eventually, I think this wicket will ease out and become a nice batting pitch," said Tendulkar.
Pressed why the Indian batsmen were found wanting in shot selection, Tendulkar said, "Nobody played a shot thinking that he would be out. A couple of guys were unlucky. In case of VVS Laxman the ball went towards the stumps after hitting pads.
"We got a start but had a batting collapse later. It happens in cricket and there is a lot to happen in this game," Tendulkar added.
Tendulkar also said the team took its world number one status seriously and would do everything to protect it.
"We are not taking our world number one status lightly. We had played well and consistently for nearly two years and became world number one. We are happy that we are world number one and we want to maintain it," he said.
Tendulkar refused to answer any question pertaining to Sehwag's remark about the Bangladesh team and said, "Why are you asking me? You should ask Sehwag."
Asked about his becoming the only batsman to score 13,000 Test runs today, Tendulkar said, "I am happy, not that I was counting runs that I am reaching a milestone. When I was batting it was shown on the board (that he has crossed 13,000
Test runs). Otherwise, I could have missed it.
"But, personal achievements come after the team. If I contribute for the team's cause, that will give me satisfaction," he said.
Still in the crease after a defiant 76, Tendulkar hoped that India can still score more runs tomorrow.
"For any batsman, no score is enough. The wicket is expected to ease out tomorrow and we are hoping we can get some more runs," he said.
