India’ premier Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara believes the current South Africa pace-bowling attack is one of the best he has ever faced in his career.
The right-handed batsman was dismissed for 26 runs in the visitors’ first innings in the opening Test between the two sides at Newlands in Cape Town.
Pujara fell to Vernon Philander on the second day as India were bowled out for 209 in reply to South Africa’s first innings total of 286.
With Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel making up the rest of the Proteas pace-attack, Pujara said what everyone was thinking by calling it one of the best he has come across.
“This is one of the best bowling attacks I’ve faced. You know that is their strength and you need to know how to counter-attack,” he said on Saturday.
Pujara thinks India are capable of chasing down 350 in the final innings.
The hosts were batting on 65-2 at the end of the third day’s play, an overall lead of 142 and the Indian batsman believes his side can chase down 350 if it came down to it in their final innings.
“Overall, I think we played well today and we are very much in the game. We got two wickets today and if we bowl well tomorrow, and if we are chasing somewhere around 350, I think, we are very much in the game,” Pujara stated.
With the hosts evidently on the front foot after the opening two days, Pujara and team India were handed some respite on Sunday as heavy rain and a wet outfield delayed the start of the third day at Newlands.