Team India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja spoke about the team’s chances of salvaging the second and final Test against South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. Jadeja said India had a chance to save the match, saying a hard-fought draw on the final day would almost feel like a victory.
South Africa posted a second innings total of 260 for 5, extending their overall lead to 548. Tristan Stubbs was the top scorer for the Proteas with 94 runs, while Tony de Zorzi (49), Wiaan Mulder (35*), Ryan Rickelton (35) and Aiden Markram (29) made useful contributions on day four (Tuesday, November 25).
Jadeja was the only Indian bowler to make a significant impact, taking four wickets. Chasing this massive goal, the hosts found themselves facing an almost impossible task heading into the final day.
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It will be as good as a victory – Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja remained optimistic about India’s chances after the fourth day of the Guwahati Test. Jadeja said the team must go into the final day with confidence in their defensive skills.
The left-handed hitter said he is aware that the pitch has started to offer turns and is likely to deteriorate further. He said holding off the South African attack long enough to secure a draw would be almost as valuable as a victory, given the match situation.
“We have to bat tomorrow and if we save the match, it will be like a victory. The ball has already started spinning and it will spin more tomorrow. We have to trust our defense,” Ravindra Jadeja said.
There is no panic and you don’t worry – Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja said the psychological pressure of the situation often matters more than the amount of reactions offered. He explained that a team late in the game tends to overthink each challenge.
“When one team is ahead by 300 runs, there is no panic and you don’t worry about the speed of the ball. When the other team is behind, there will be all kinds of things running in your mind,” Jadeja said.
India had another difficult start. Yashasvi Jaiswal perished for 13 and KL Rahul was dismissed for 6, leaving the hosts struggling at 27/2. Sai Sudharsan and night watchman Kuldeep Yadav remained unbeaten on the field. Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer each scored once.
Ravindra Jadeja completes 50 Test wickets against SA
Ravindra Jadeja completed 50 Test wickets against South Africa. He took three five-wicket hauls, his best figures being 6/138. He joined legends like Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, Harbhajan Singh and Ravichandran Ashwin, who all took 50 or more wickets against the Proteas.
Jadeja’s average is lower than every other Indian bowler on this list. According to Cricbuzz, he is only the second left-arm spinner in history to take more than 50 Test wickets against South Africa, alongside England’s Colin Blythe, who managed 59 wickets over a century ago.
Jadeja has taken 348 Test wickets in 89 matches at an average of 25.11, including 17 four-wicket hauls and 15 five-fors. The left-handed batter scored 4,041 runs at an average of 38.12 with the help of six centuries and 27 half-centuries.
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