IND vs SA Test | Batting the whole day out will be as good as a win: Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja admitted that salvaging a draw against South Africa in the second Test will be like a win for India.

The hosts enter the final day of the second Test needing to chase 522 more runs with just eight wickets left. Keeping in mind the World Test Championship, a draw will fetch four valuable points even if the series defeat seems inevitable at this stage.

“Tomorrow [Wednesday] is the last day, so the ball will turn and bounce more. That’s the expectation. So we will have to bat well and take it session by session,” said Jadeja.

“If we don’t give a wicket in the first session, then there will obviously be pressure on the bowlers to bowl us out. For us, that will be a win-win situation if we can bat the whole day out. For us, it’ll be as good as a win,” he added.

When asked about India’s struggles to bat on a surface where the opponents have looked far more assured, Jadeja pointed out that scoreboard pressure does have a role to play.

“The ball started to turn a little when we were bowling, but they were in a good situation. They already had such a big first-innings lead, so they didn’t panic.”

“However, when you are 300 runs behind or chasing 550 and when the ball is turning and bouncing, that plays on the mind more.”

The all-rounder also felt that the youngsters in the team would learn from this challenging experience.

“When a situation like this happens, and you play three or four youngsters in the team, it feels like the whole team is young and inexperienced. They have a learning phase, and in international cricket, no matter what format you play, it’s not easy. If they handle this situation well, they will mature as a player. And, India’s future will be better,” remarked Jadeja.