Calcutta: Cheteshwar Pujara thinks batting will be tough on the fourth and fifth days of the third Test at Trent Bridge. England face a tall task after being set a 521-run target by India.

At stumps on the third day, England were 23 without loss.

This was after captain Virat Kohli's 23rd Test century and his 113-run stand with Pujara for the third wicket laid the foundation for a mammoth target.

In an interview after stumps on Day III with Nasser Hussain for Sky Sports, Pujara said: "Both seam and spin could be a threat for them. The pitch has quickened up a bit compared to the first day. It's a lot quicker and there's a lot of deviation off the pitch too because of the dent, so I think it will be tough to bat on Day 4.

"Some of the balls are climbing from the dents and some are keeping low... It will be difficult to bat, and if we bowl in the right areas, we should be able to bowl them out tomorrow. And I'm sure both seam and spin will come into play."

On his 72-run knock, Pujara said: "I've been batting really well.

"I didn't score too many runs this season, but in County, I felt I was batting well and had been in good touch too. I didn't get a hundred, but it is good to be back amongst runs. Besides, we are in a good position at this stage."

Pujara added: "You do fret sometimes if you don't get runs, but I was confident enough and the way I was batting at nets and the way I was moving my feet, I knew a good score was round the corner and I was just a game away from a big one.

"I missed out on a hundred, but it's good to get 72 runs."

Pujara also appears to be someone who doesn't quite sulk when things don't go his way. He was dropped for the opening Test at Edgbaston, but he seems to have taken that sportingly.

"It's tough to sit out of the team, but these things happen sometimes due to the team combination. Nonetheless, it's good to be back in the team and scoring runs."

He then quipped: "Maybe I would've started the series if I didn't play County... Not too sure, though... But it's always good to play County cricket, you know, and I played on some challenging pitches in England during the County season.

"On those pitches, sometimes you do get out and you have to accept that and move forward. But it was good to have that preparation."

Talking about batting with Kohli and sharing another century partnership with the skipper, Pujara said: "Virat is a great player. He was timing the ball sweetly from the first Test itself, and I don't think anyone can play a cover drive like he does, particularly in England.

"It's great to watch from the other side, particularly the drives that he plays."

Ravichandran Ashwin's hip seemed to be a bit of a concern, but Pujara said it was nothing serious.

"He is okay. The way he bowled a couple of overs today, he looked good and I hope he continues to do that.

"He's getting it to turn. I hope he stays fit and continues to do well tomorrow, picking up some wickets..."

On the other hand, England assistant coach Paul Farbrace rued the catches that England have dropped so far in the three Test matches.

"It was really soul-destroying to see so many catches dropped... Extremely disappointing," Farbrace said.