We were in trouble when Rishabh got out: Cheteshwar Pujara

Team India were 96 for the loss of two wickets overnight with captain Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara at the crease. At the start of the third day's play, it looked like the Indians were all set to put a big score on the board as the pitch looked like a batting heaven.

Wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant joined Cheteshwar Pujara at the fall of fifth wicket and the duo stitched a 53-run stand. Speaking at the virtual press conference, Pujara talked about how the 23-year-old's dismissal led to a batting collapse. 

"You should give credit to Australia for the way they bowled, they did not give any loose balls. If you look at the way our innings was progressing, we were in trouble when Rishabh got out, apart from that, till then we were in a comfortable position. We were 180/4 but things turned out once Rishabh got out, and then I got out. We did not score too many after that, I thought losing Pant was a turnaround, our aim was to get to around 330-340 but we missed out there," Pujara told during the virtual press conference.

On Team India's injury scare; Pant and Jadeja injured

"Well when Rishabh got hit, I was not aware as to how bad it was, I don't know about the results of his scans, will know about it later. Both Pant and Jadeja are important members of the team, whatever happens with them, I still feel we will have to put on a good show tomorrow," he said.

"To be honest, it does affect because we are left with four bowlers and it puts pressure on the other bowlers, so it's never easy when you lose a bowler especially when it's Ravindra as he can keep bowling from one end and he can land the ball at the right line and length, he puts pressure on the batsmen. He is valuable as a bowler and fielder, losing him is a blow for us, but the first session tomorrow will be crucial and we will put a better show," he added.

On frequent batting collapses

"I would say that when we are playing overseas, it's never easy, some of the guys are still learning. We have to bat well as a lower-order, we just have to accept this, it is something which we need to address, we have also spoken about it. I feel a major concern is we are losing too many wickets when we are six down, the lower-middle order has to bat well, Bumrah has improved his batting, and our bowlers are working on their batting. The margin of error is less as a batsman, you need to also give credit to the bowlers," he said.

"Young guys are slowly adapting. Whenever they get their chance to bowl, they have always shown promise and impression. This is how they're going to learn and gain experience."
 
The veteran batsman also showered rich praises on Navdeep Saini and Mohammed Siraj.

"Our bowlers are learning, if you look at our current fast-bowling lineup, they are slightly inexperienced. But I think day by day, they will get better. It is an opportunity for them to learn. It is Siraj's second game and Saini's first game, they are bound to make mistakes. We have to allow them some time to settle in, it's not easy to bowl in Australia, our bowlers have to learn few more things, some of the things could have been done better, we need to show better discipline in our bowling, we are doing the things which we can," Pujara remarked.