One-drop batsman Cheteshwar Pujara stresses India have a grip on referral system despite things not going the hosts' way twice at Vizag yesterday
Cheteshwar Pujara
Visakhapatnam: Cheteshwar Pujara doesn't believe that a defensive approach on the final day by the England batsmen will trouble the Indian bowlers too much on Day Five pitch.
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But when it came to the DRS and the manner in which the Indians have used it in this Test, the top-order batsman was quick to defend his team members.
To stick to the England second innings, twice the Indians went up in appeal against an obdurate Alastair Cook, both times the on-field umpire's call to declare Cook not out was upheld.
These appeals were made in the 46th and 47th overs, so it came to be that before the 50th over, both chances that a team gets in the first 80 overs had been exhausted, both on one batsman and with the opposition having all their wickets intact.
Virat Kohli signals for a decision review against England's captain Alastair Cook, who he thought was leg before wicket to Ravichandran Ashwin (left). Close-in fielder Murali Vijay (centre) looks on. Pic/AFP
Pujara didn't think the calls to review were desperate ones. "I think it was the right call because we wanted to get wickets. All of us decided, especially the guys who were close-in to the wicket, it was a close call and then we opted for DRS."
Fair enough but did he believe that the Indian team were thorough with the way the DRS system worked, more so with the rule that on marginal calls, the umpire's original decision would stand?
Somewhat taken aback by the question, after all the Indian team is coached by Anil Kumble, the ICC Cricket Committee chairman, who helped fine-tune the DRS functioning, Pujara maintained his composure.
"Yes, we are clear about it. Before DRS was implemented, we all sat together and discussed how we want to take calls when we opt for review especially when on the field, as a fielding unit. Even when we are batting, we have a clear plan. As a team, we are very clear about it," he said.
On the match situation he was equally clear. "We are happy with the way things went. We knew that it won't be easy to get them out. Ultimately we achieved what we wanted. We are happy at getting two wickets at the end of the day. I don't think it will be easy to bat on Day Five because, as we saw, the cracks are opening up," said Pujara.
It won't be easy, but this Cook led England side has shown they know how to put up a fight.
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