2nd Test: Remember, Aussies have to bat fourth on this track, says Pujara

With the Indians keeping Australia down to a lead of 48 after an attritional day of Test cricket, the second Test is still an open affair, should they take the remaining four wickets cheaply. India No. 3 Cheteshwar Pujara was hoping for just that

Cheteshwar Pujara

Bangalore: With the Indians keeping Australia down to a lead of 48 after an attritional day of Test cricket, the second Test is still an open affair, should they take the remaining four wickets cheaply. India No. 3 Cheteshwar Pujara was hoping for just that.

"We are very much in the game and they have to bat fourth," said Pujara during the media interaction after the day's play. "First, we'll look to get four wickets quickly, and once we get that, we have to bat well and put some runs on the board," he said. "We have already seen that the ball is keeping low and they will have to bat fourth," he added.

Shaun Marsh top-scored for Australia with 66. Pic/AFP

Having lost all 10 wickets themselves on the opening day of the Test, wasn't it frustrating to see just six Australian wickets fall, he was asked.

"I don't think so. Throughout the day we bowled very well, especially the fast bowlers," he said. "It wasn't easy for the fast bowlers because there wasn't much help. Obviously, there was the odd ball that stayed low but they had to put in a lot of hard work."

Some may be inclined to term the bowling defensive but Pujara saw the end result as a moral victory. "We can see the run-rate, they were not able to score many runs. In a way, it was a victory for us and we bowled tight lines. Lengths were very good from the fast bowlers. All in all, we bowled well and took six wickets but they didn't score many runs."

He also said they had their plans ready when they come to bat in the second innings. "Apart from the last three innings, we have been batting well. So we just have to have a game plan. We will have a different game plan in the second innings," assured Pujara.

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