India's assistant coach Jagbir Singh admitted that his players will be under tremendous pressure when they play the next Test in Chandigarh after losing 3-1 to Pakistan in New Delhi on Monday. Pakistan now leads the eight-match bilateral series 3-1.
"We should have won the match. We failed as we did not utilise the opportunities that came our way. Had we levelled the score 2-2, we could have levelled the series," Jagbir said.
"The team will be under pressure and there is no doubt about that. But I have full faith in the players and I am sure that they will overcome the disappointment and give their best in Chandigarh."
Pakistan captain Waseem Ahmed said he was happy to see his team settling into a rhythm after showing indifferent form throughout the first leg.
"There is a lot of improvement in the team. It looked completely different today as the players settled into a rhythm. Their effort and spirit was evident from the way they played today," Waseem said.
Waseem said his side was looking to win the Chandigarh tie to clinch the series.
"Winning the match in Chandigarh to clinch the series 4-1 would be the best thing for us at the moment. We would be going for that. We can't afford to relax a bit as India is a very good team and they can bounce back hard."
After the Chandigarh match on Wednesday, the action shifts to Amritsar [October 8] and Hyderabad [October 10].
Pakistan chief coach Roelant Oltmans said his team played its best hockey of the series so far in beating the Indians in the opening match of the Indian leg at National Stadium, New Delhi.
Pakistan went into the match with a 2-1 lead after the four Tests back home, and Oltmans said he was satisfied with the way his team played under testing conditions to put themselves just a game away from taking the series.
"This has so far been the best showing by the boys. They played an attacking game which was evident from the fact that we created three moves in the first five minutes and scored a field goal in the sixth minute," Oltmans told reporters after the match.
Oltmans said with some "fine hockey" Pakistan ensured that India would have to play really well in the remaining matches to save the series.
"Now we are just a win away. They are in a spot but still we would be taking them in all seriousnes in the remaining matches and would not relax before the series is over," Oltmans added.
He declined to comment anything on the way the Indians played in the match saying he was busy watching his players.
"It's not my business. I was too busy watching my players. So I did not notice what mistakes the Indians made."
