It will be tough for Australia to save match: Murali Vijay

In-form India opener Murali Vijay reckons that India are well on course for their third consecutive win as it won't be easy for Australia to bat out the final day and save the third Test match, here tomorrow.

"The ball has been swinging from day one, different conditions here, there is reverse swing happening. The wicket is slower and lower and it's going to be difficult for them tomorrow," Vijay, who cracked 153, his second century in a row, told reporters.

After conceding a 91-run first innings lead, the visitors were struggling at 75 for three at stumps, on the penultimate day with Bhuvneshwar producing a brilliant spell to remove openers David Warner (2), Ed Cowan (8) and Steven Smith (5), who was promoted ahead of injured captain Michael Clarke.

At stumps, Phillip Hughes (53 batting) is fighting hard in the company of night-watchman Nathan Lyon (4).

"We are in a pretty good position at the moment considering the wicket and everything, and there is nothing to be worried about," the 28-year-old opener from Tamil Nadu said, when asked about India's position in the match.

As far as his batting was concerned, he said he was working hard on it.

"I am working hard on my game, especially from that second innings in Chennai. I wanted to go the hard way, so tried to stay longer at the crease," he said when asked if it was a conscious decision to take his own time in settling down.

About Shikhar Dhawan's batting, who yesterday became the fastest to reach a century by a debutant, Vijay had only words of appreciation.

"Incredible the way he played..brilliant. When somebody is batting so well, I just wanted to play tighter as the run rate was already going at 4-5 per over. So I did not want to disturb his flow."

... contd.

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