'Played sensibly, performed the role of a sheet anchor' - Paras Mhambrey lauds Usman Khawaja's gritty knock in Ahmedabad Test

Australia have made quite the comeback in the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. After India dominated the first two Tests in Nagpur and Delhi, the visitors came back with a comprehensive victory in Indore. As the fourth Test commenced, Australia once again got off to a fabulous start in the game.

The visitors managed 255/4 by stumps on Day 1 and continued strongly on the second day as well. Usman Khawaja has been fabulous for the Aussies as he completed 150 runs and had a dependable batting partner in Cameron Green, who also completed his century before being dismissed on Day 2 for 114.

Following Australia’s performance, India’s bowling coach, Paras Mhambrey, came forward to give his take on Khawaja’s knock. ''I think he played really well. If you look at the way he played, he played sensibly and performed the role of a sheet anchor, and knowing the way the game would progress, he played well,'' Mhambrey said in a press-conference after Day 1. "We tried whatever was possible on this track, and sometimes you have to give credit to batsman as well."

We gave slightly more runs in the last session: Paras Mhambrey

Mhambrey also opined that India leaked too many runs during the last session of Day 1 after India took the new ball.

"Initially, the runs that were leaked and the second session were good for us but as the ball got old, run-scoring became difficult and the last session became difficult. We conceded 56 in the last 10 overs and I thought the game slightly drifted there from us. At the end of the day, if it was 220 for 4, it would have been good for us. Yes, we gave slightly more runs in the last session," he said.

The pressure keeps mounting on the hosts as they need to win the fourth Test to guarantee a spot in the final of the World Test Championship.