Australia are in the driver’s seat in the ongoing third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against India in Indore at the close of play on Day 2.
After conceding a first-innings lead of 88 runs, it was expected that the home batters would put up a better show in the second essay. However, they once again failed to rise to the occasion as a batting unit as veteran Australia spinner Nathan Lyon did the demolition job with eight wickets to his name.
Cheteshwar Pujara top scored for India with 59 on a turning track as India’s second innings folded for 163, setting a 76-run target for the Steve Smith-led side.
Speaking after the second day’s play, Pujara said that the surface was difficult to bat on and one needs to trust their defence, get to the pitch of the ball and judge the length early.
"It is a tough pitch to bat on. It is not easy and you need to trust your defence, you need to make sure to get to the pitch of the ball and try to judge the length early," Pujara told Star Sports.
While he acknowledged that the target of 76 runs is less, there is still a chance to win for India.
"I know it is not enough but still, there is a chance (to win). You need to do that on such pitches, if you keep defending then there is one ball which will bounce and hit your glove, you need to find the right balance between attack and defence. Whenever I got a loose delivery I tried to put it away. When he (Lyon) bowled round the wicket, his line changed a bit, he was bowling middle and leg-stump line rather than on off-stump, I just wanted to rotate the strike," he added.
Pujara was looking set for a three-figure mark before Steve Smith’s remarkable catch at leg slip ended his valiant knock.
"I wanted to hit it to square leg but because of the slowness of the surface, it took the ball to leg slip. It was a brilliant catch by Smith. Bit disappointed, the way things were coming along.. a partnership with Akshar, we could have gotten a few more. I am learning few more shots and if there is a situation or demand then you get few quick runs, I have been working on that and I am confident that whenever it is needed I can play the (big) shot," he concluded.
(With ANI Inputs)
