By IANS
New Delhi : Despite Pakistan taking a 167-run on the third day, India can still win the first Test match, off-spinner Harbhajan Singh said here Saturday.
“We have a good chance in this match. The wicket is still playing well and we are happy to take five wickets today,” said Harbhajan after the day’s play at the Feroze Shah Kotla.
India were bowled out for 276 in the first innings taking a lead of mere 45 runs. Later in the day Harbhajan and skipper Anil Kumble struck back and reduced Pakistan to 212 for five when the stumps were drawn on the third day. But the visitors still managed to take a crucial 167-run lead.
Till tea Pakistan were cruising well at 108/1 but some good bowling by the spin duo saw them losing four quick wickets. Harbhajan picked up two wickets and the Indian captain scalped three.
Asked whether the Indian team will face any pressure chasing the target in the fourth innings, Harbhajan said: “There will be pressure, but the way we are playing I don’t think we should worry about it.”
The off-spinner also said that they are not looking at any particular total to chase on the dual natured Kotla track.
“We are not looking at any total. The kind of quality we have in our batting, I think we can chase any total on this track,” he said.
Harbhajan said that Misbah-ul-Haq’s dropped chance off Kumble was very crucial.
“If we would have taken the chance then I think we could have got the whole team out in six or seven deliveries. They were under tremendous pressure at that time,” said Harbhajan.
He said that the pitch is getting better with each passing day and Indian batsman would face no problem batting on the last day off the match.
“The pitch is changing everyday. Earlier it was keeping low but today the ball was coming well on to the bat and I don’t think our batsman would have any problem batting in the last innings,” said Harbhajan.