Team India head into Day 5 of the second Test against South Africa needing an improbable 522 runs to win, but former off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has urged the team to fight with belief and character.
A Near-Impossible Chase Ahead
Chasing 549 in the fourth innings, India ended Day 4 in deep trouble after losing openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul. Scoring 522 runs on the final day of a Test match is virtually impossible, which means India’s only realistic path to avoid defeat is to bat out the entire day against the newly crowned 2025 WTC champions.
Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel and Washington Sundar will have the monumental task of surviving long hours at the crease on Wednesday.
Ashwin’s Message: Believe Like Manchester
Ahead of Day 5, Ashwin posted on X, sharing a graphic of the balls faced by India’s current batting lineup in this innings. His inspirational message read:
“Belief is a word used easily, but it’s what separates champions from the rest. Every player wearing the Indian jersey has that belief. It’s important to find joy in fighting when your back is against the wall. Whatever may happen today, it will be exciting to see character — the same character we saw when Washi and Jaddu saved that Test in England. Let’s go.”
Ashwin invoked the spirit of resilience India showed during their famous Manchester escape, reminding fans and players that determination can still lead to miracles.
Avoiding Unwanted History
If South Africa win, they will become the first team ever to whitewash India twice in a home Test series — a record India will be desperate to avoid as they step into a crucial final day in Guwahati.
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