Despite being in the ascendency at the end of Day 1 of the second Test against Australia in Melbourne, India's ace quick Jasprit Bumrah said the visitors aren't looking too far ahead and just want to approach each session as it comes.
In absence of experienced pacer Ishant Sharma, Bumrah spearheaded the attack and took four wickets for just 56 runs off his 16 overs as the Indians dismissed the opposition for a modest 195 in the first innings.
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The visitors then ended play at 36/1, in a solid position to gain full control of the Test. Bumrah, however, said while obviously hoping to build from here on, they want to keep their focus on the present.
"We are not looking too far away. We are looking at one session at a time. So we are looking at things we have to do. We don't want to be conservative in our mindset," said Bumrah while replying to a query from ANI in a presser post the day's play on Saturday (December 26).
"We are trying to be positive, you know to control the controllable. So we are just trying to be in that phase. Not being reckless but being confident and that's our motive to go forward now," he added.
Apart from Bumrah, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (3/35) also showed off his class once again, lending the first punch from the Indian camp towards the Aussies via a terrific spell, which included the prized scalp of Steve Smith (0).
Pace debutant Mohammad Siraj (2/40) also had as impressive a beginning to his Test career as one could've imagined. On foreign shores, Siraj looked in control and bowled with admirable consistency, never allowing the hosts to get away from his end. In reward, he ended with two very important breakthroughs.
"We are just trying to help each other and create pressure from all ends. Ash bowled brilliantly, Siraj bowled well. I am very happy with the effort that was put in. Our main goal today was to help each other," said Bumrah, acknowledging his teammates' efforts.
The visitors lost their opener Mayank Agarwal (0) to left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc (1/14), before fellow opener and debutant, Shubman Gill (28*), and veteran No.3 Cheteshwar Pujara (7*) steered the side towards the close of play.
Bumrah & co will now hope that Indian batsmen can help the bowlers to put their feet up for the entire day tomorrow and post a huge total on the board that allows the team to further pile on the pressure against the hosts.
