"It Is Not Enough But...:" Cheteshwar Pujara's Cautious Optimism Despite Australia Chasing Just 76

At the end of second day's of play in the ongoing third Test against Australia in Indore, India batter Cheteshwar 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. Nathan Lyon's eight-wicket haul helped Australia skittle out India for 163 runs in the second inning, leaving the visitors just 76 runs away from a win in the third Test at the Holkar Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

"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," said Pujara after the end of the day's play.

He said that though a target of 76 runs is not enough, there is still a chance to win for India and added that a right balance between attack and defence is needed on such pitches.

"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," said the middle-order veteran.

"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 Axar, 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