Ravindra Jadeja Targets Pride as India Battle to Prevent Series Clean Sweep

India is on the cusp of another test whitewash, this time at the hands of the reigning test champions, South Africa. After losing the first test, India came into the Guwahati test to square the series. However, the current scenario looks very bleak for them, as South Africa is once again controlling the whole match.

Given the current situation, saving the test match appears to be the most realistic option for India. Their star all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja, is also backing the team to stand firm on the final day and not give South Africa any chance.

He said India needs to bat well to save the second Test at Guwahati. He urged the batters to remain composed and not give away wickets in the first session of the day. If they succeed in doing so, the pressure will shift to the bowlers.

"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 obviously be pressure on the bowlers, that they need to bowl us out. For us, that will be the win-win situation - if we can bat out the full day tomorrow. For us, it'll be as good as a winning situation." said Ravindra Jadeja at the post-day press conference.

When South Africa toured India in 2019 to play a three-match test series, they lost all the matches. However, the scenario this time is completely different. The visitors have already won the first test, and now they are looking to win the second to secure a historic clean sweep over India.

Ravindra Jadeja does not see any difference in India’s performances across the two series. He feels India didn’t do anything wrong in the current series, and South Africa gained the upper hand mainly by winning the toss in both matches.

"I don't find any difference from what we played against them in 2019. I think they almost have the same squad. In cricket, I feel it's all about timing. It starts from winning the toss. If we would have won the toss on this wicket, then we would have been in a good situation right now.” said Ravindra Jadeja.

“But that's part and parcel [of the game]. So, now, [it's about] what comes next - that is, day five. We have to play good cricket and we have to trust our defence. That's the key. If we play out day five, then, as I said, it's a win-win situation for us." added Ravindra Jadeja.

Pressure of Scoreboard on Batters

Talking about the match strategy, Jadeja said that having a big target of 550 always makes the batters nervous. He added that teams play more freely when they are ahead in the game, as nothing holds them back from taking calculated risks.

"See, it's not difficult. In cricket, it's always about the situation. If you are 312-315 runs ahead in the game, then any batsman can come and play freely. They're not thinking about spin or bounce, or how the wicket is.” said Ravindra Jadeja.

“But when you're 300 runs behind and you have to go out and play out a day, defend through it, and know you have a 550-run target, and you know the ball is turning and bouncing, that plays on the mind more.” added Ravindra Jadeja.

He then expressed optimism that his team will give their best to save the match on Day 5. Even if they don’t succeed, they will aim to learn from this game, particularly how to handle tough situations in a Test match.

"Whichever batter goes to bat tomorrow will look to give their best. But sometimes, even if you don't succeed, you learn from [the situation] and know the mistakes you've made, and what you can improve on in such a situation again." said Ravindra Jadeja.