Far from getting excited after having Australia in a spot of bother, India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said on Friday the first Test is "extremely well poised" and every run in the remaining days will be worth its weight in gold.
A relentless Indian bowling attack restricted Australia to 191 for seven on the second day.
"I thought we really bottled them up, soaked them up and put on pressure from both ends," said AshwIn,
Australia trailed by 59 runs and Ashwin said the Test was still on equal terms.
"I bowled an extended 22-over spell even before and after tea to make sure that we do not give away more runs.” said Ashwin
About the pitch condition, he said, "I thought there was a bit more stickiness yesterday (Thursday) and the speed has definitely come down. When we were batting yesterday (Thursday) I don't think it was as slow as it was today (Friday).
"I think the wicket has slowed down considerably and I don't expect it to quicken up more either. I think it's going to slow down more," said Ashwin.
Ashwin would not predict how much the pitch will slow down or deteriorate.
"If anything has to be done, you have to do it on the fourth or fifth day. We need to see how much it grips,” said Ashwin.
The senior tweaker felt that the drift he was able to get did the trick for him.
Asked about bowling to the Australian left-handers, in particular Shaun Marsh, whom he has dismissed five times now, Ashwin said, "I have dismissed quite a few other left-handers many more times. He is a fantastic player.”
He said footmarks on the pitch was helping the odd ball to spin for the right-handers.
"But there is not much happening for the left-handers for an off spinner. It is not easy to make the shots when you get the pace right though and there is a bit of hold because of thickness of the grass," said Ashwin.
This is Ashwin's third tour of Australia and he said the experience of 2011, when Michael Clarke hit him out, was a learning curve.
(With inputs from PTI)
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