India Must Bat Well on Day Five to Save Guwahati Test

India are currently 1-0 down in their two-Test series against South Africa, with only one day left to play in Guwahati. On the fifth day, India are 27 for 2, chasing an almost impossible target of 549 runs. Even saving the Test match would be a positive outcome, as India look to avoid a second series loss at home in recent years.

Allrounder Ravindra Jadeja suggested that batting well on the final day would create a “win-win situation” for India. Speaking ahead of day five, Jadeja said, “We will have to bat well, take it session by session. If we don’t give a wicket in the first session, then there will be pressure on the bowlers. For us, that will be the win-win situation — if we can bat out the full day, it will be as good as a winning situation.”

Jadeja emphasised that patience and discipline are key. The team must trust their defence and focus on playing carefully against a strong South African attack.

Jadeja pointed out that the current series is different from India’s 3-0 home win against South Africa in 2019. “I don’t find much difference from 2019. They have almost the same squad. Cricket is about timing, and winning the toss matters a lot. If we had won the toss, the situation might have been different. Now, we must focus on day five and play good cricket.”

Jadeja has been part of India’s unbeaten home Test run for 12 years. He said that dealing with difficult situations is part of cricket. “It’s not difficult. Cricket is always about the situation. Chasing a big target is challenging. You have to defend, play smart, and handle pressure. The more you play, the more you learn.”

He also noted that India’s past home wins have helped the team gain confidence. “From 2012 to 2024, we never lost a home series. During that time, we often won tosses and scored big first-innings totals. We learned how to handle different situations, and now we must use that experience again.”

India is currently in a transition phase, with many senior players retired or missing. Jadeja sees this as a learning opportunity for the younger players. “For youngsters, this is a learning phase. Their careers are just starting. Playing under pressure at home teaches them resilience. If they handle this well, they will become more mature and India’s future will be stronger.”

Jadeja stressed the importance of a positive mindset. “Even if a player fails, they learn from the experience. Everyone must give 100%. Batters must focus on their game and take responsibility. Cricket always brings surprises, and handling challenges helps players grow.”

Saving the Guwahati Test is crucial not just for pride but also for the confidence of India’s young squad. The team aims to finish day five strongly, gain valuable experience, and prepare for future matches. Jadeja remains optimistic, believing that defending well and applying pressure on the opposition can create a positive outcome even in tough conditions.