Zaheer Khan had no hesitation in admitting that India has its back against the wall in the second Test against New Zealand, but was quick to assert all is not lost yet.
Replying to New Zealand's massive first innings total of 619 for nine declared, India slumped to 79 for three by stumps on Day 2. Still, the left-arm seamer was optimistic.
"It is a good track. Hopefully, tomorrow will be ours," he said after the second day's play.
"Tomorrow is an important day for us. Hopefully, we will put it together. Things are looking good as (Rahul) Dravid and Sachin (Tendulkar) are batting. We have to win the day and come back right into the Test match," added Zaheer, who returned with three wickets for for 129 in New Zealand's first innings.
Asserting that India could get back into the game, Zaheer said, "Last year we had been put in tough situations and responded well. Definitely, this time our backs are against the wall but we can win the day with the bat. That is what we are expecting from Team India."
He said it was not easy for the bowlers to succeed on McLean Park's docile pitch, but heaped praise on Jesse Ryder, whose 201 scripted New Zealand's turnaround in the match.
"We have given everything we have got. As a bowling unit we have tried everything. Obviously, Jesse Ryder is playing well. He scored a double hundred which was a plus for them," he said.
Zaheer said it was quite frustrating to bowl at the McLean Park.
"A lot of runs have been scored in boundaries. It is difficult to stop boundaries on this small ground. It is frustrating for the fast bowlers.
"You keep going and create opportunities. Sometimes they go your way, sometimes they don't. The important thing is to keep running in and create those opportunities," the 30-year-old seamer said.
He did not make much out of the dropped catches during the Kiwi innings.
"It is a team game so I am going to definitely back my team mates. It can happen on the field, you just have to move on."
The ace seamer said he is looking to get the better of Ryder in the rest of the series.
"He has been batting well. I will have to give it to them. It was fun bowling to him and it was good to take up that challenge. But I believe the remaining three innings will hopefully go my way."
