Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh backed opener Shubhman Gill after his poor performance in the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy third Test, saying "batters can't survive on Indore pitch with defence."
Gill, who was promoted to the playing XI to replace KL Rahul, failed to capitalise on the opportunity, scoring only 21 and 5 in both innings.
"The strategy is straightforward here. You can't play defence on this field. Throughout his inning, Pujara used his feet. It won't work if you think you can wait out a spell and score runs later. Even if you're hitting 70-80 on this pitch, you can get out with a single odd delivery "According to Harbhajan Singh on Star Sports.
"You must be on the lookout for opportunities to score runs. You should look into where you can get a four. Shubman wanted to go for a six, and given the pitch condition, his strategy was sound because you can't defend on this pitch for long "He went on to say.
On day one of the third Test, India was bowled out for 109 after electing to bat first, and Australia's left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann claimed his maiden five-fer.
Nathan Lyon completed his second eight-wicket haul in Test cricket in the second innings, bowling out India for 169 and putting Australia on the verge of victory in the third Test at the Holkar Stadium on Thursday.