New Delhi: As batting is becoming extremely difficult on a fast-wearing pitch, Australia spinner Nathan Lyon believes they stand a good chance to sign off the tour with a win since it will be difficult for India to chase even a small target of 100 runs.
Lyon got a lot of purchase from the Feroz Shah Kotla track, offering vicious turn and uneven bounce, and scalped five Indian batsmen to bring Australia back in the match.
"We need to bat well tomorrow. Even a 100-run target would be difficult to chase on this track. The wicket is going up and down. We need to bat well and hopefully get a lead of 150-200 runs. It will help us to put the Indians under some pressure," Lyon told reporters after second day`s play.
The Australian bowlers, led by Lyon (5/94), troubled the Indian batsmen as the hosts finished the day two at 266 for eight in the fourth and final cricket Test.
Such was the changing nature of the pitch that despite a century-plus opening stand between Cheteshwar Pujara (52) and Murali Vijay (57), India lost six wickets in a heap in the post-tea session.
Lyon extracted sharp turn and bounce to get rid of India`s top and middle order players -- Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar debutant Ajinkya Rahane.
Asked about his prized scalp, Lyon said each and every wicket was special to him.
"All five wickets were special to me. Every wicket was special to me. Playing against the likes of Tendulkar and Kohli, you always strive to get their wickets. I am quite happy with each one of them. I really enjoyed myself out there. I felt confident and put my team in the contest. We will try to turn things around here in Delhi," he said.Lyon did not read too much in the on-field spat between Ravindra Jadeja and David Warner.
"What happens on the field, stays on the field. Australia play hard cricket and we play very hard today. The conditions are tough out there and we did pretty well today. We pushed ourselves to the limits and that’s why we played our best cricket. It was missing in the last three Tests," he said.
Talking about his own bowling, Lyon said stand-in captain Shane Watson marshalled his men smartly.
"I love bowling in long spells which I did today. As far as my performance is concerned, Shane told us to get in to the contest, that's one thing which worked for all of us. His advice helped me in getting five wickets. Also, we were bowling in partnerships, building pressure on the opposition, that's one thing which we failed to do in the last three Tests," he said.
"Shane is a great player and a great leader. Everyone has got so much respect for him. I thought he did pretty well today as a captain, motivating all of us," he added.
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