India needs 522 runs to save the series against SA and Anil Kumble urges the team to show real fight and avoid a second home whitewash against South Africa.
India enter the final day of the second Test in Guwahati needing 522 runs to pull off a remarkable chase against South Africa, who set a target of 549 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. Anything less than a successful chase will hand the visitors the series, and a South African win would make them the first team to whitewash India twice at home. Even a draw would still give the Proteas a 1-0 result.
With India under severe pressure, former captain and ex-head coach Anil Kumble urged the side to show determination and back up earlier talks about their batting strength.
“They will have to walk the talk. Abhi bhi mauka hai Bhartiya team ko; jab bhi mauka milta hai ballebaazi ka, thoda fight dikhana padega yaha pe Bharat ko (Now is the time for the Indian team. Whenever they get a chance to bat, they’ll have to show a little bit of fight here),” Anil Kumble said.
Pujara Urges India to Focus on Basics, Not the Target
Cheteshwar Pujara, now part of the commentary panel, offered a measured view on India’s approach heading into the final day in Guwahati. He believes the team should shift its focus from the 549-run target to simply batting with discipline.
“Lag raha hai ye match mein Bhartiya team ko jeetne ke liye nahi pehle achi ballebaazi karne ke liye sochna padega (I feel that in this match, the Indian team will have to think about batting well first). Because ‘win’ is at the end,” Pujara said.
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“And if you look at the scorecard, when you have more than 400 runs in your mind, you don’t pay much attention to the batting. You pay more attention to the end result. And your batting can never be good. So get that scorecard out of your mind. Whenever you get a chance to bat there, just try to bat well. Every ball is important in this condition. So pay attention to each and every ball. Try to build a partnership. And then whatever result comes in the end, you can see later. But first do a good batting,” he added.
At the time of writing, India are 70 for 5 and still need 479 runs to avoid defeat.
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