‘I’ve never beaten batsmen more often than I did in this series’

• We deserve to be the No.1 side. Every player has worked really hard,and as a result we’ve improved considerably,both individually and as a unit. The players have all contributed — the batsmen have put runs on the board,the bowlers have taken wickets. Seniors,juniors,everyone has chipped in,and the results are there for all to see.

India now play Sri Lanka in two T20 matches. How different is the Lankan challenge in this format?

• They have always been a very good side,and they reached the finals of the World Twenty20 earlier this year. But India have the momentum after the Test series win. If we can play at that same level,I believe we’ll beat them.

How do you rate new spinners in and around the Indian team now — Pragyan Ojha and Amit Mishra,with Piyush Chawla waiting in the wings.

• It’s nice to have young players such as Ojha,Chawla and Mishra. I’m sure they will serve India for long because it’s clear that they have a lot of potential. From here,it depends on how badly they want wickets.

There was criticism of your bowling form this season. How do you feel you’re doing now?

• I’m actually quite happy with the way I’m bowling. I feel I could’ve picked up a five-wicket haul in the Test series,but at least I was the highest wicket-taker for India. It was tough to bowl on these wickets. The Motera track was plain disappointing,but I was happy with the Mumbai pitch. As far as I can remember,I’ve never beaten batsmen more often that I did in this series.

Muralitharan is being slammed for not being effective. Do you think he’s no longer the threat he once was?

• He is too big a bowler for me or anyone to disregard. There are times when even the best bowlers go for runs,but that doesn’t mean they’re no longer good. I feel the Indian batsmen played him well. I’m glad Murali didn’t pick up more wickets,or the Test series may have gone the other way.

How different is it working with MS Dhoni and Gary Kirsten?

• Dhoni is a confident guy. He’s calm,he’s cool,and he has a lot of time for his team mates. He makes sure that every player is comfortable. Gary,too,gives a lot of freedom to the players. He can be a good friend but he can also be tough if you’re not working hard enough.