Virender Sehwag, who hit a blistering 164, believes India can still put pressure on South Africa in the first cricket Test by playing fast and making the visitors bat on Wednesday, the last day of the match.
"If we can put some fast runs on the board and take a sizeable lead, we can still push for a result. We have three spinners and we can put them under some pressure," Sehwag said after the penultimate day's play, on Tuesday.
Sehwag accused the South Africans of adopting a negative bowling strategy to contain the run flow.
"It never really looked as if they were playing for a victory. They had a negative line and employed a defensive field to stem the run flow," he said.
Notwithstanding the opposition's tactics, the Delhi opener notched his eighth Test hundred and also recorded the highest individual score against the South Africans at home as India closed the day on 401 for four.
"After lunch I decided to play fast and put the bowling under some pressure. Since I was well set, it was easier for me to hit the ball. Our plan was to get as many runs as possible today so that we could be in a position to make them [South Africans] bat tomorrow," he said.
"It was not easy for a new batsman to accelerate the pace of scoring. Till you are not set on this track, you cannot play your strokes," Sehwag added, explaining the reason for the drop in the scoring rate after his dismissal.
Sehwag was full of praise for his opening partner, Gautam Gambhir, who he said played a "great knock".
"In the earlier matches, the openers could not give a good start, but Gambhir played really well. The good start helped the team. It was a good batting wicket and it was important to get the runs. I am sure this knock will help Gambhir's confidence."
He said his experience of playing with Gambhir for Delhi at the domestic level came handy, as the understanding, particularly in running between the wickets, was very good.
"Since we have both played for Delhi, it really helped. We know each other very well. The left and right combination also helped as the bowlers had to change their line constantly."
Sehwag also said the frequent changes in the opening combination does not affect him.
"I am not really troubled by new partners. We play as a team and the two openers should complement each other. I think if two players from the same state open the innings, it's good."
Although he may have scored his runs at will, the right-hander is against flat tracks, like the one at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, saying the pitch should give some assistance to the bowlers as well.
"Such tracks are not good for cricket. Both the bowlers and the batsmen should get some help. I think we should make better wickets," he added.
On his form, Sehwag said, "I was not in form in the one-day version of the game. It is more difficult to return to form in one-dayers because you don't get enough time to settle down. In Tests it's different and I am happy with the way I am playing right now."
Asked whether he considers Tuesday's century as his best effort, he replied: "309 was the best," obviously referring to his record score against Pakistan in Multan earlier this year.
Gautam Gambhir, who missed what could have been his maiden Test century by merely four runs, said he would ensure he does not commit a similar mistake in such a situation again.
"It's really disappointing to miss a century. It was playing on my mind may be. Next time I will try not to miss out on it."
Gambhir said he owed his success in only his second Test to the encouragement given to him by the seniors in the team.
"The seniors have really helped. They have given me the confidence. After my failure in my first Test appearance, they all helped me."
