Final day will be big mental test, says Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane

Adelaide, Dec 12: With India having conceded a 363-run lead after the fourth day of the first Test against Australia -- thanks to David Warner's twin centuries, batsman Ajinkya Rahane Friday said that the final day of play will prove to be a stern test of the visitors' mindset.

"Patience will obviously be the key. The challenge will be to keep going if you get a start and it is going to be a test of our mindset on a fifth-day pitch. All our batsmen have got good skill. So if we apply ourselves well tomorrow, then I'm sure everyone will do well," a confident Rahane was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon could once again be the Australian trump card on a deteriorating fifth-day pitch, following his sixth five-wicket haul on Friday morning.

Lyon exploited the rough patch created by the pacers to great effect and got good purchase from the track.

However, Rahane, who was done in by a sharply bounced delivery from Lyon, is hopeful that the team can apply itself and focus on the task ahead.

"Nathan Lyon is an experienced bowler and he bowled really well. We just have to focus in the present. We have to apply our minds and if we do that, I am sure we will do well tomorrow."