NEWS
Follow UsHaving been taken aback by a Sam Konstas assault on day one, things went from bad to worse for team India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on day two of the fourth Test.
Australia started the day at 311/6, but then added 163 more runs to their overnight tally courtesy a 140 from Steven Smith and a 49 from Pat Cummins.
And then, with a mammoth total in front of them, the side collapsed from 153/2 to 164/5 to end the second day trailing Australia by 310 runs.
As it stands, the Aussies are well ahead in the contest, but team India all-rounder Washington Sundar believes that the tourists fully believe that they can turn the contest around, particularly with plenty of time left in the Test.
“We will still come back and continue to fight tomorrow morning,” Sundar said after day two.
“Energy is very good in the dressing room, we are all positive, and there’s a lot of time in the game. It will be about us trying to fight really hard and get things done for the team.”
One of the reasons Sundar believes India can still post a fighting total with the bat is because of the surface, which he believes will be very good to bat on for the next couple of days. India have Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant in the middle right now, but still have Nitish Reddy and Sundar to add runs down the order.
“The wicket was a little soft yesterday because the sun didn’t come out the whole day. But after the first hour today, the wicket started to play better and we batted really well as well,” Sundar said.
“Tomorrow and day after as well, I guess it will be good to bat on. I think the wicket wouldn’t change as much. It’s gonna be an exciting couple of days.”
The all-rounder is filling big shoes at MCG, replacing Shubman Gill in the starting XI. The management obviously are banking on Sundar to score a lot of runs, but the youngster is of the opinion that pressure is a privilege.
“Isn’t it amazing that the team wants me to do really well in all three aspects of the game?,” Sundar said.
“It’s a great opportunity for me, especially when the team is believing in me that I will be able to perform well and win the game for the team.
“For me, personally, it will be very important to do whatever the team requires, no matter which situation of the game I get to be in. It’s just about being out there, putting the right energy and getting things done for the team.”
This MCG Test is Sundar’s second of the series and third in Australia. And he has a pretty reasonable record Down Under, having taken 7 wickets at an average of 38.14 while going at 3.29 runs per over.
The 25-year-old revealed that inputs from the now-retired Ravichandran Ashwin, his Tamil Nadu and former India teammate, have helped him thrive in conditions that are generally hostile for spin bowling.
“Obviously, I’ve had a lot of conversations with Ash [Ashwin]. Especially about how the conditions play in Australia,” Sundar revealed.
“Gave me a lot of insights because he’s come here multiple times. We spoke a lot even before coming to this tour. Having someone of his caliber to share his knowledge and experience definitely helped me.”
