Dharamsala: As an opener India's Lokesh Rahul is used to facing hostile spells from new-ball bowlers. But the Australian attack Sunday, he admitted, was the toughest of his career so far.
With the series in the balance at 1-1, the game's two top-ranked sides have been locked in a battle of attrition in the fourth and final Test in Dharamsala.
After bowling out the visitors for 300 in their first innings, the Indians were hoping to build a big total. But they were impeded by some lethal fast bowling from Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.
And just as the hosts thought they had seen off the worst, off-spinner Nathan Lyon scripted a turnaround in the final session to finish the day with four wickets for 67.
"The way Josh and Cummins bowled in the first session, I can say it has been the toughest session that I have faced in Test cricket so far," said Rahul, 24.
"They put the ball in the right areas, they swung the ball, bowled with a lot of pace and venom," said the batsman who has scored 1,149 runs in 17 Tests.
The efforts of Hazlewood (1-40) and Cummins (1-59) did not translate into many wickets but proved crucial in keeping the Indian run-making in check.
Rahul had special praise for the 23-year-old Cummins, who is making a comeback to Test cricket after nearly six years in the wilderness.
"The first session was really tough, it was challenging for sure. I had to leave the balls outside off stump, leave the bouncers.
"He (Cummins) was fast, accurate. You can say that he has been the guy who, as a fast bowler, who has challenged us in this series."
Australia just need to draw the match to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy, having triumphed at home in 2014-15.
A victory will see them clinch their first series win in India since the side led by Adam Gilchrist triumphed in 2004.
