We have nothing to lose, says Ashwin

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin lauded the exceptional batting of Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke, saying the Australian duo had done well to take the first day’s game away from India.

“I think it was really good batting by Ponting and Clarke, they really took the game away from us in the second session," Ashwin told reporters after the first day’s play of the fourth Test on Tuesday.

He denied that the team was embarrassed after a string of poor shows on this tour. “Teams have to play, someone has to lose, so nobody is embarrassed in the dressing room," he added. "We're all quite happy to keep coming out and keep trying again and again. Nobody is embarrassed, I'm very sure about that.”

Ashwin said the Indian players were capable of giving a good account of themselves in this Test despite a tough opening day.

“I think we have nothing to lose at this point in time. Being 3-0 down gives us a bit of a license to go out and play our natural game that could be a real blessing in disguise for us, and all that's important is to get those first 20-30 runs and then stick it out.”

Ashwin also dismissed the notion that Indians were suffering from psychological block against the Australians.

“I don't think there is any psychological block, but we were definitely telling and egging each other on especially in the second session of the play today," he said.

“We had to be really tight in that particular phase after lunch where it was quite crucial and that's where we gave a few easy runs to both of them and they just took off from there. It's happened in two Tests now in Sydney and now in Adelaide. We'll look to get a couple of wickets tomorrow," added the Indian off-spinner.