We are very much in the game, says Pujara

 The Indian bowlers, given the task of producing a comeback, kept coming hard at the Australian batsmen throughout the day. However, despite a disciplined effort, the hosts were defied a major success on the second day as the visitors continued to hold the upper hand.

Praising his bowlers for their fighting show, Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara said it was a bit frustrating for his team that some chances didn’t go their way. “When the bowlers were bowling well, a few balls went to the slips but it didn't carry. For the bowler and the fielding side, it is a bit frustrating. But we can't help these things. Throughout the day we bowled very well, especially the fast bowlers. It wasn't easy for the fast bowlers because there wasn't much help. We took six wickets and didn’t allow them to score more runs,” said Pujara.

With the Australians nosing ahead, Virat Kohli’s men are left with lots to do on the third day. Pujara, though, was firm in his belief that the game is not out of India’s hand. “I don't think so (the match is slipping out). We are very much in the game. Once we have some runs on the board in the second innings, we can challenge them in the fourth innings,” he offered.

“We have some plans for Starc and other batsmen. If we can get them all out within another 30 or 40 runs it will be great. We will focus on bowling the right line and length and wickets will come. I think there is enough help from the pitch for the spinners and fast bowlers. So if we continue to bowl the way we have did today we will be able to get them out soon,” said the right-hander.

DRS woes

India’s struggles with the Decision Review System further dented their confidence. “We have been working on it (DRS). At times there were some close calls and we didn’t get it right. We will work on it more. Shaun Marsh was out once and we didn’t take the review. Had we got his wicket then we could have put some pressure on them. We had to take that chance but we didn’t go for it. That’s something that we can work on,” Pujara explained.