East Zone was adjudged the Duleep Trophy champions on basis of their first innings lead over Central Zone after both the teams played out a draw at Chepauk on Chennai yesterday.
"It was really a tremendous effort by him. He had an amazing spell. His effort pumped up the spirit and we are all up there eyeing for our second title," the East Zone opener told PTI today.
Dinda had claimed a match winning 7/26 for a nine-wicket match haul to edge out South Zone in the semifinals.
"I'm really excited about the feat (of winning the title twice). I'm told that it has never happened before. I'm sure it would act as a confidence-booster ahead of the Ranji Trophy," he said.
The 24-year-old said that team spirit was as strong as that in the last season which was important for their campaign.
"The focus was on the team spirit. We almost had the same side -- barring Wriddhiman Saha, Shreevats Goswami. But most were the same. My focus was to bring the best from the team. Even in good or bad phases, we wanted to play as a team."
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Behera conceded that he "misread" the pitch in the rain-affected final, but was excited to have Anustup Majumdar as the surprise package.
It was Majumdar, a top-order batsman, who emerged the unlikely bowling hero as he took four wickets for 29 runs to help East retain the Duleep Trophy from an unlikely position on Thursday.
"We brought him as a partnership breaker (in the 70th over). He really surprised us. Being a wrist spinner, the slow turner really helped him," Behera said. MORE