Notwithstanding Indian top order’s pathetic show once again after the bowlers did a decent job to restrict England to 330, leg spinner Piyush Chawla said the hosts can still make a comeback in the fourth Test if Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni manage to put on a good session tomorrow.
“We lost a few quick wickets but we still have two quality batsmen at the crease and they are having a good partnership (Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni) and seeing the ball really well. Let’s hope for the best because the way these guys are middling the ball we could have a good session tomorrow,” said Chawla after the second day’s play here.
India, in reply to England’s 330 in the first innings, were tottering at 87 for four with the fiery England fast bowler James Anderson having grabbed three quick wickets for 24 runs at the VCA Stadium.
Virat Kohli (11) and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (8) were at the crease, even as the home team were still trailing England by 243 runs. “The morning session will be important. If we manage to play around 30-45 minutes without losing a wicket then we will be in a good position,” insisted Chawla.
The bowler dismissed suggestions that the poor form of the Indian batsmen was affecting the bowlers, saying on every occasion the team has put up scores in excess of 300 in the four-Test series, in which the hosts are 1-2 down.
“This is a phase that happens. It is not that our batting has flopped big time as we have managed to get around 300-350 in every match. It has not affected the bowlers. As a bowling unit we have done well,” he said.