India's No 3 batsman suggested that the lack of runs from the lower middle order is a concern for the team, especially in overseas series
Team India batsmen Cheteshwar Pujara on Saturday, rued the lack of runs from the lower-middle and the lower order in their batting line-up after the visitors lost six wickets for just 49 runs and folder for 244, falling 94 runs short of Australia's first innings total of 338 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
Pujara suggested that India were in great position at around 180/4 when he and wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant had rebulit after losing skipper Rahane and Hanuma Vihari in quick succession. But, he admitted that after Pant's wicket, India just fell off the cliff and expressed his concern about lack of runs from the lower order, while commending the Australian fast bowlers.
'Pant's wicket the turning point'
"If you look at the way our innings was progressing, till Rishabh got out, we were in a comfortable position - at 180 for 4. We were going well. Things turned around when Rishabh and I got out. We didn't score many after that. Losing Rishabh was a turnaround. If we had a decent partnership after that, we would have posted a decent score. Our target was to score 330-340. We lost (out) somewhere there," Pujara said.
Speaking after the third day's play, Pujara said, "When you're playing overseas, it's never easy. You have to bat well as a lower middle order. Yes, you tend to lose wickets at times. Even when teams come to India, when they are not experienced, they tend to lose wickets at times. Yes, it is something that we will have to address. I'm sure there will be a chat about that.
"Our major concern is we are losing wickets after we are six down. The lower middle order has to bat well and the guys have been putting in effort. If you look at the way Bumrah has been batting, he has been improving. The bowlers are also trying. Some times, it's not easy. You just have to accept it when it's not your day. The bowlers are also bowling well. When the margin for error is low for the batters, you have to give credit to the bowlers," added Pujara, who made 50 runs and was the lone Indian batsman to reach the mark on third Day and only the second in the innings after Shubman Gill.
The unplayable from consistent Cummins
Pujara, who took over 150 deliveries to score fifty, couldn't add more to his tally and got out to Pat Cummins, as he became his third scalp. However, it was almost an unplayable delivery as the ball after pitching on a short length, flew off the deck and took Pujara's gloves' edge into the hands of the keeper.
Asked if Pant's dismissal had an effect in his batting, Pujara countered that saying Cummins' wicket delivery to him was probably the best ball in the series that he faced.
"We are trying our best, but sometimes Pat Cummins has a better idea, sometimes he was bowled some of the unplayable deliveries, for example, the ball which I got, if there was any other batter, I felt that was the best ball of this series, sometimes you have to accept it, we are trying our best as a batting unit. It is not just about him, it is important to bat well as a unit," said Pujara.
"I have got out against him four times but some of them were really good balls, we need to respect that, overall I am confident about my batting, I would rather focus on the things I need to as a batsman rather than put too much pressure on him getting me out. The way I was batting today, I was really confident. The way I got out today, I have to accept that. I could not have done anything better, I would rather focus on the things I need to do as a batsman. I just have to bat in the manner I know to bat, even as a batting unit, you need to build partnerships and bat well as a unit," he added.
Injury woes hurt India
While, India got all out for 244, Australia then after losing a couple of wickets managed to stitch another partnership through Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith as Australia ended the day with 197-run lead. However, India's woes continued to rise as both Pant and Jadeja suffered injuries.
With one bowler short, India's bowling attack lacked bite and it showed as the duo fiested on their hapless bowling performance. Talking about Jadeja's absence and their bowling in the second innings, Pujara said, "It's never easy when you lose a bowler, especially someone like Ravindra who got four wickets in the first innings and can bowl long spells. He can land the ball in one area ball after ball. He is someone who puts a lot of pressure on the batter and bowls a lot of dot balls. Not only with the ball but also on the field."
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 "Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant")
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