Melbourne [Australia], Dec 27: With India posting a mammoth total of 443 runs before declaring their first innings on Day Two of the ongoing third Test against Australia, the hosts are on the back foot at the moment. Australian opener Aaron Finch, however, believes that the game is still on if they bat really well on Day Three of the match. The 32-year-old, while admitting that the pitch is deteriorating way more than their expectations, expressed confidence in the Australian batting line-up saying that they would post big first innings total to put India under pressure. Virat Kohli on the Verge of Surpassing Graeme Smith to Create an Overseas Record During IND vs AUS 2018.

"This wicket is deteriorating a lot more than what we thought it would. We saw tonight, the ball was skidding through and there was a couple that took off. So it's still game on if we bat really well, and then back up and bowl again and put India under a lot of pressure. I think all three results are still on the table - India, Australia (victories) and a draw," Cricket.com.au quoted Finch, as saying.

"It's so hard to say after two days when the wicket is deteriorating, but we're very confident that we can bat really big in this first innings and put India under pressure again," he added.

Australia dropped three catches within the space of one hour during the match which was one of the highlights of the Day Two. Finch, however, asserted that their performance should not be defined by a couple of dropped chances. "I think it was just a couple of overs there that we didn't get it right. A bit of fatigue setting in, and guys just drifting slightly but that happens. We put in a lot of hard work and a lot of really good work today. So I don't think that performance should be defined by a couple of dropped catches," Finch said.

In reply to India's first innings total, Australian openers Finch and Marcus Harris remained unbeaten on the respective scores of five and three. Australia are trailing the first innings by 435 runs.

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