India v England: Adil Rashid revels in his Test-best performance
Rashid takes 4-114 to bowl India out for 488 in their first innings
Saturday 12 November 2016 13:07, UK
Adil Rashid says his four-for in India's first innings during the first Test in Rajkot is the best he has bowled yet in Tests for England.
Rashid took 4-114 to help bowl India out for 488, giving England a 49-run first-innings lead, and said his consistency is what pleased him most.
"It's probably my best Test performance for England," said Rashid. "I just tried today to stay calm, composed and relaxed, and deliver my skills.
"It was the most consistent I've bowled. I felt confident, and it came out of the hand nicely.
"I've been working hard in the nets with Saqlain Mushtaq. He is not trying to do anything technical with me - just getting me more relaxed and focused.
"If it comes out well, or even if it doesn't, at least you've got the right mindset, and thankfully it worked today."
England stretched their advantage further as Haseeb Hameed - who hit a Test fifty on debut - and Alastair Cook shared in a 114-run stand to see the tourists 163 runs ahead by stumps.
Rashid praised 19-year-old Hameed's efforts, and harbours hopes that England can force through an unlikely victory on day five.
"To get that partnership at the end was very important," added Rashid. "We're in a great position now, and hopefully we can come back tomorrow and put a few more runs on the board.
"Hameed is a quiet boy, but he works very hard on his game in the nets. He is very organised and has a good temperament - he showed that today.
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"If we have a good first session with the bat tomorrow, then we can see where we're at. If we're in a good position then we can put the pressure on them.
"We've got to believe that we can do that."
Watch day five of the first Test between India and England from Rajkot, live on Sky Sports 2 from 3.45am on Sunday.
