Wellington: New Zealand's spectacular fightback in the ongoing third Test was helped to an extent by dropped catches but Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara on Sunday defended his teammates, saying their fielding has been 'fantastic' for most part of the trip.
After two days of domination at the Basin Reserve, the visitors had a tough day in the field as the pitch flattened out and the hosts rallied to 252/5 in their second innings to wipe off the first innings deficit.
While wickets didn't come in the last session Sunday, a couple of close chances went down in the field, particularly off centurion Brendon McCullum who benefitted on both occasions. It was, in fact, the difference between the match finishing Sunday and going into a fourth day.
"If you look at both the Test matches we have taken so many good catches. Not only on this trip, but in South Africa also, the Indian fielding has been fantastic. We have effected many run-outs and held many good catches. So you are bound to drop a few catches here and there," said Pujara, defending his mates, after the third day's play here.
"It has been a fantastic game so far with many turns. But we are still in a very good position. If we can get a couple of quick wickets early on tomorrow, a lot of time is available. We are happy with the way things have shaped up.
"We could have been happier with a couple of more wickets but we are in a good position and in with a good chance to win this Test match," he added.
India bowled out New Zealand for 192 runs in their first innings and then went on to score 438 runs in their second essay.
The Kiwis almost lost their way before recovering through a fine partnership of 158 runs for the sixth wicket between McCullum (114 not out) and Watling (52 not out).
"We have to give credit to their batsmen. The way they batted was really good. Brendon batted well and that partnership was very crucial for them. We tried our best but they were the winners in that last session. Like I said earlier, if we can get a couple early wickets then we can go through the tail-enders," he said.
"The pitch is getting better day by day. Our bowlers did a very good job and bowled in the right areas. They didn't allow them to score many runs, which is a good sign for us. Overall looking at the wicket, they bowled really well," Pujara added.
When asked, what sort of target the Indians will like to chase now that the Kiwis have taken a tiny lead, Pujara replied, "We don't want to chase a big target obviously, the lesser the better. But you cannot keep any targets in mind while bowling. We want to get them out as early as possible."
In the end, the line of questioning moved to his form, as the batsman has gotten starts in this series but somehow failed to convert them. Even so, he is now part of the Indian ODI team to play in Asia Cup.
"I have learnt from my mistakes. My only regret is the first innings' dismissal in the first Test match where I played a really bad shot. But apart from that I got a good ball in the second innings there and here also, in the first innings I got a very good ball."
"I am confident of playing the ODI format well. It is just that I need to get a couple good scores in that format. I have done really well in the domestic matches I have played. So I am confident of a good showing in this format as well," Pujara signed off.
Next: One partnership was the key for us: Bob Carter
One partnership was the key for us: Bob Carter
Wellington: Heaping praise on Brendon McCullum and B J Watling for their spirited batting in the ongoing third Test against India, New Zealand's assistant coach BobCarter on Sunday said their effort has given the home team "a lot of heart" to fight the tough battle of survival in the match.
The Kiwis are still far from safety but they have wiped off the 246-run first innings deficit and taken a slender six-run lead.
Carter praised McCullum (114 not out) and Watling (52 not out) for their performances on day three, wherein they put on 158 runs for the sixth wicket to defy the visitors.
"After the first hour or so, the mood wasn't good. But with the wonderful partnership between BJ and the captain, it has given us a lot of heart to take into tomorrow," he said.
"The key for us was to have a partnership. We were really struggling in the morning. This was a real test of us today and tomorrow is the same – test of our batting to see whether we can put a score on the board in order to put India under pressure.
"They are a fine team, they are going to come out and bowl well again tomorrow. We know we have got a challenge on our hands, and it is something we are really looking forward to," he added.
In the morning session, New Zealand were reduced to 87/4 at one stage and then lost a further wicket in the post-lunch session, but McCullum and Watling resisted the disciplined Indian bowling after tea, to take the match into a fourth day.
"Brendon has now combined a lot of his game with defence. Sunday was a tough day of Test cricket. They didn't give us anything and they bowled well since they bowled in the second innings in Auckland. They bowled very well in this game. Brendon has really shown his defensive game is to come forward."
"And as well as he still likes to attack. Going from 94 to 100 with a six certainly caught me by surprise. I think he is growing in stature as a Test player and I would like to see him play a lot more," said Carter.
"In the first innings, you saw again how well India bowled. We did well to get 192 in the end. They came at us hard Sunday. No one was really playing loosely, they earned their wickets well. It was a great day of Test cricket," he added.
Carter said he wants his batsmen to carry on for at least two more sessions.
"I would like to bat for another two sessions or more. Effectively we have now got that little lead. We need to build partnerships and we have got five wickets left. If we can get a few more out of this one, it will be fantastic.
"Both are established batsmen. We know that India will come hard at us tomorrow, as the ball is only 20 overs old or so. It will be another battle and hopefully we can reach that again," he said.
"The wicket is perhaps the best time to bat now than it has been for the whole game and hopefully we can build on that. If we can build on that and we have five wickets to go, partnerships are our key and making sure we keep our score ticking over. We can't get to a stage where we are not scoring runs," he signed off.
