India's all-rounder Washington Sundar has expressed optimism about his team's chances of mounting a comeback against Australia during the fourth Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Following two days of competitive play, India finds itself at 164 for five, trailing by 310 runs after Australia set a formidable total of 474 runs. Sundar remains resolute, believing there is still time to fight back with three days left.
Speaking at the end of Day 2, Sundar highlighted, "We were in a great position to get big runs, but we will still come back and continue to fight tomorrow morning. The energy is very good in the dressing room, we are all positive. There’s a long time left in the game – still three days, lots of overs to play. It's about us trying to fight really hard and get things done for the team." His comments reflect the team's determination, dispelling any notions of despair among the players.
While speaking about the match's intricacies, Sundar acknowledged India's shaky ground after losing key partners. A promising partnership between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli of 102 runs stabilised the innings momentarily before quick dismissals triggered India's collapse. Jaiswal was run out after miscommunication with Kohli, who also fell victim to Scott Boland shortly after. From 153 for two, India slid to 164 for five, leaving Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja at the crease.
The veteran all-rounder, stepping up to bat at number eight, understands the expectations riding on him. "Isn’t it amazing... that's a great opportunity for me," he said. He noted how it’s important for him to contribute across all aspects of the game, especially when the team heavily relies on his skills.
Reflecting on the pitch conditions, Sundar explained how the wicket has improved, stating, "The wicket won’t change much. So it will be exciting couple of days." This perspective is significant as it indicates opportunities for the batting team, contrasting the initial softness of the pitch on Day 1 when bowlers dominated.
Sundar recognized the role of his former teammate Ravichandran Ashwin. He had conversations with Ashwin on tactics and conditions, learning how to navigate the challenges posed by Australia, which has historically been seen as tough for visiting teams. He concluded, emphasizing the team's morale and commitment to the task at hand. "Definitely, the energy is very good in the dressing room, we are all positive. There is still time left – it will just be about us trying to fight really hard and get things done for the team." He remains firm about the team’s fighting spirit.
India’s prospects now hinge on solid performances from Sundar, Pant, and Jadeja as they push to avoid the follow-on and rally to reduce the significant deficit. With the upcoming days promising competitive cricket, all eyes will be on the MCG as India seeks redemption and pursues the target set by the Australian batsmen.
