England Won't Find Final Chase Easy at Lord's, Says Cheteshwar Pujara
India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara threw an open challenge to England's batsmen, saying they will face a stiff task batting last on an uneven Lord's pitch.
England bounced back with three key wickets in the last session of Day 3 of the Lord's Test against India, but Cheteshwar Pujara warned that the hosts will face a stiff task, chasing a target in the fourth innings. (Day 3 Report: Murali Vijay Keeps India Afloat at Lord's After Liam Plunkett's Double)
India were 169/4, with a lead of 145, after Liam Plunkett snared two wickets and Stuart Broad picked one. Plunkett started the Indian slide when he got Pujara for 43, who got out poking uncharacteristically to a ball away from the body, before snapping up Virat Kohli for a duck off the very next ball. (Day 3 Highlights)
Stuart Broad struck soon after to get Ajinkya Rahane, as India slipped into further trouble. However, Murali Vijay (59 not out) and MS Dhoni(12 not out) shared an unbeaten 46-run stand for the fifth wicket, which gave hope to Pujara, who said it was a tough wicket to bat on. (Bhuvneshwar Kumar Joins India's Lord's Elite)
"The match is nicely poised. It's pretty even for both teams. Our batsmen need to put up a good show and get to a target of close to 350. There is some uneven bounce on this wicket and it will be challenging for England, because they will bat last."
India would be looking to add as many runs as possible and with batting becoming increasingly difficult, Pujara's 'prediction' may come true. However, had Pujara not played a lose shot in the last session, India might have gone to stumps at a much healthier position but the number three said those things happen in cricket.
"I should have left that ball (from Plunkett). It was outside the off-stump. It was not an easy wicket to bat on. The ball was swinging around and moving in the first innings and I played a patient knock (28 off 117 balls); the team benefited from it."
India's bowlers have matched England's this series and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (11 wickets so far) has easily been the best from either side. The hosts, if faced with a challenging enough target, will feel the heat from a young team which is not ready to give an inch.