Ravindra Jadeja believes that if India manages to hold on for a draw in the Guwahati Test against South Africa, it would feel no less than a victory. With an imposing target of 549 standing between them and a series-levelling win, India closed Day 4 at a shaky 27 for 2 in 15.5 overs at the Barsapara Stadium. They still need 522 runs — a mountain too steep to climb,— but Jadeja stressed that survival on the final day would carry immense value.
India’s chase got off to a rough start, losing both openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, early. That left young Sai Sudharsan and nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav to negotiate the remaining overs. Reflecting on the conditions, Jadeja noted that the pitch had turned considerably sharper during South Africa’s second innings, yet the visitors remained calm thanks to their massive lead.
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“The ball had started turning slightly when we were bowling. But they were already in a very strong position because of the first-innings lead, so there was no panic,” Ravindra Jadeja said after stumps. “Tomorrow is Day 5 — there will be more turn, more bounce. That’s expected.”
Jadeja, who recently entered the elite club of players with 4000 Test runs and 300-plus wickets, said India must break the final day into small, controlled phases. According to him, surviving the first session will be crucial in shifting pressure back onto South Africa’s bowlers.
“We need to take it session by session. If we start well and don’t lose wickets in the first session, the bowlers also start feeling pressure. If we bat through the entire day, for us, it will be as good as a win,” he explained.
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While Jadeja hasn’t contributed significantly with the bat in this Test, he has been India’s standout performer with the ball — picking two wickets in the first innings and returning with an excellent 4 for 62 in the second. Despite his efforts, India now stare at a second home Test whitewash in just 13 months, unless they script a remarkable escape on the final day.
