Dream come true for PK

Dhoni, at Lord’s, on Friday

London: “It’s a dream come true... Sabka sapna hota hai Lord’s mein achcha karne ka... That dream has been realised,” is how Praveen Kumar reacted, on Friday evening.

Praveen’s five for 106 has put him on the honours’ board at the home of cricket and that will stay for all time to come.

“It’s a great feeling... Lord’s has good conditions, a great atmosphere... I wanted to do well... I don’t think I bowled any differently from yesterday (Thursday)... I bowled according to plan... I’ve been accustomed to bowling long spells in domestic cricket,” Praveen maintained.

Praveen acknowledged that the slope at one end had left him confused when he first came to Lord’s, on Tuesday morning, but got used to the “ajeeb” situation by bowling adjacent to the wicket during practice sessions.

Didn’t he find it odd when captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni removed his pads and gloves to bowl in the afternoon?

“No... Sahi decision tha... Somebody had to bowl at that time as we were one bowler short,” Praveen replied.

Praveen clarified that he didn’t have an issue with a section of the crowd. “Woh kuch nahin hua,” he insisted.

Asked by The Telegraph if he was dedicating his maiden five-wicket haul to somebody, Praveen grinned and said: “Team ko... It’s for the team...”