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The match is evenly poised, reckons Vijay
Opener Murali Vijay believes the fourth Test match is evenly poised after India's disappointing performance with the bat and is hoping the tailenders can build a sizeable first innings lead, on Day 3.
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"It is interesting. The match is evenly poised. It can go either way. We are just looking for a good day tomorrow. However many more runs we put up, it is going to be crucial," he said in Delhi on Saturday.
The hosts threw away the advantage of a good foundation laid down by their openers Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara to help Australia inch their way back into the contest.
At one stage, India were cruising along at 108 for no loss but they kept losing wickets at regular intervals to be reduced to 266 for eights at stumps on Day 2 in reply to Australia's first innings total of 262.'It is very difficult to score runs on this wicket'
What will make India's task tougher is that the cracks on the pitch are starting to open up, making batting more and more difficult.
"It is getting slower and lower, the cracks are opening up. It is difficult to know the speed of the delivery," Vijay said.
When asked what target India would be comfortable chasing on this wicket, he replied: "Whatever target they set we have to chase, there are no two ways about it. We are looking for a good game."
The India opener, who made a half-century in the first innings, also pointed out that it is difficult to score runs on the pitch even if you get your eye in.
"It is very difficult to score runs on this wicket, you can stay in this. It is very difficult to find the gaps and stuff because the wicket is getting slow. It is tough to judge the speed of the delivery. I think we did build in patches. I could have stayed longer but got out at the wrong time, I guess," he said.