We’ve conceded ground, admits Rahul Dravid

The dramatic Indian batting collapse in the last session on Sunday has left the match wide open.

The dramatic Indian batting collapse in the last session on Sunday has left the match wide open.

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“Yes, we were going well at one stage when Suresh Raina and Sachin Tendulkar were batting. But credit goes to Australia as they bowled well in the last session.

A collapse has left the game pretty even and open,” said Rahul Dravid, adding, “India have conceded a strong position where they could have had a chance to put pressure on the opposition.”

Dravid, who got out when he looked settled, admitted the pitch was still good for batting and India would have to bowl well on Monday to restrict the Australians.

“Mitchell Johnson bowled well and I got out to a very good delivery. Tomorrow’s first session is going to be crucial and we will have to take wickets to put them under pressure. Anything between 250 to 260 on the last day is chaseable here.

“The wicket might get bit uneven on the last day and there is assistance from the rough areas so I think our spinners can exploit that.”

Dravid said Sachin Tendulkar was too experienced a player to fall prey to the nervous 90s. “Sachin has 48 hundreds in Test, so I think he did not get nervous in the 90s, but all that is part of the game,” he said.

The former skipper conceded VVS Laxman’s back spasm had affected the team’s plans but felt the others could have handled the responsibility.