India all-rounder Washington Sundar has expressed confidence in his team's ability to fightback in the ongoing Boxing Day Test against Australia at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The visitors found themselves in a tough spot by the end of the second day’s play, trailing Australia in the first innings by 310 runs with only five wickets remaining.
Sundar, who is likely to play a key role with the bat at No. 8, acknowledged the team's reliance on him to contribute across all aspects of the game.
"Isn't it amazing that the team wants me to do really well in all three aspects of the game? That's a great opportunity for me," Sundar said in the post-day presser.
India were reeling at 164/5, with Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja in the middle. Earlier, a promising 102-run partnership between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli had resurrected the innings, but both of them got out in quick succession, triggering a collapse.
Sundar, however, refused to call the situation dire. "We were in a great position to get big runs, but we will still come back and continue to fight tomorrow morning. The energy is very good in the dressing room, we are all positive. There's a long time in the game - still three days, lots of overs to play. It's about us trying to fight really hard and get things done for the team."
Commenting on the pitch, Sundar highlighted its improved behavior after a softer first day. "It was a little soft yesterday because the sun didn't come out the whole day. The wicket also started to play a lot better today, and we batted really well. I guess tomorrow and the day after, it will be a good surface to bat on. The wicket won't change much, so it will be an exciting couple of days."
Earlier on Day 2, Steve Smith went on to smash a stunning hundred (140) while skipper Pat Cummins made a handy contribution of 49 runs as the hosts racked up a mammoth 474/10 in their first innings.
Jasprit Bumrah once again emerged as the stand-out bowler for India, returning the figures of 4 for 99 in his 28.4 overs.
India will now hope that Washington Sundar and the remaining batters rise to the occasion on the third day and keep their hopes alive against a formidable Australian attack.
