India vs England: We are not looking at any particular target to chase down, says hosts’ bowling coach Paras Mhambrey

India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey on Saturday said that his team wasn’t worried about the target that the hosts could chase in the ongoing first Test against England in Hyderabad. The hosts conceded a 190-run lead on Saturday, allowing England to claw back in the game on the back of an unbeaten 148 from Ollie Pope. England were 316/6 on Day three, leading the second innings by 126.

“We are not looking at any particular target (to chase) as I said the objective is to come tomorrow morning and get early wickets and limit their total. We are not putting any pressure on ourselves by setting any target. We just want to bowl in the right areas to extract turn and bounce from the wicket,” Mhambrey said during the post-day press conference.

IND vs ENG: Ollie Pope’s magnificent ton on Day 3 breathes life into Hyderabad Test

Mhambrey feels the track will be on the slower side but doesn’t expect the turn to be “challenging”.

“If you look at the way the game has progressed over the last few days from the first session, the amount of turn the ball has taken, I think it got better in the second innings. I think it is going to get a bit better on the slower side (tomorrow). There will be some turn but it is not the usual turn you see in the Indian sub-continental wickets, the sharp turn when the game progresses. There is a little turn but not as challenging,” said Mhambrey.

The 51-year-old said the hosts were aware of the Bazball approach that England had taken the last couple of years and were very prepared to take them on. Mhambrey also credited Ollie Pope for his brave approach.

“We knew prior to the series the way England played over the last couple of years and the kind of approach they had to Test cricket. We were expecting them to come here with that aggression and play those kinds of shots.

“But credit goes to them for playing those shots and some of the shots Pope played were very brave, and playing those shots consistently can put the opposition under pressure,” he added.

The former Mumbai pacer also noted the England batters’ bold approach in this Test.

“It does happen as the batsmen start to access different areas. It is going to be a challenge. Pope accessed the square leg area and the reverse sweep as well. They took on the attack when it was really needed.

“Sometimes it happens because someone like him who plays these kinds of shots consistently does get the bowlers under pressure in terms of variations of the line. But we need to be patient with lines and hope to get a wicket,” said Mhambrey.

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