India once again cheaply lost both their openers in the second innings, but Pujara (9) and Kohli (14) then took charge of the proceedings to take their overall lead to 70 runs by the second day.
Talking to the media after the end of the second day’s play, Pietersen said, “Tomorrow morning, taking a few wickets early will be the key. In the last few innings, both the batting has become a headache for us now.” Proceeding.
In the first innings, Kohli played a fine knock of 79 off 201 balls while Pujara stabilized the proceedings with 43 off 77 balls. KL Rahul And Mayank Agarwal was dismissed early.
“He (Kohli) is one of the best batsmen in the world and he has shown that time and again. Yes, he will be a big wicket tomorrow and if we get his wicket early, it will open the game.”
Pietersen, who scored 72 off 166 balls, was the top scorer for the home side as he was bowled out for 210 by India to give them a 13-run first innings lead.
“We would have been happy if we could have contained the deficit and gained a little bit. That’s the plan coming into the game today,” he said.
Indian attack most challenging of my career
Pietersen on Wednesday completed his second half-century of the series against some of the top Indian pace bowlers.
The 28-year-old later led the Battle of South Africa Jasprit Bumrah The openers were removed early in the deciding third Test of the series.
“It (Indian pace attack) is extremely challenging. It is the most challenging in my entire career. You have to be focused all the time and focus on your marks otherwise they will expose you.
“They test you in terms of scoring, not much scoring opportunities. They haven’t given us much. They are arguably one of the best bowling attacks in the world. We knew coming into the series, it was going to be challenging. ‘We just got to deal with it,'” Pietersen said.
On missing a century for the second time in the series, he said: “To be honest, it’s not lacking to try. It’s just away from us at the moment. Yes, I came close but didn’t let the team get there. But I think that it will come eventually.”
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