“India want to put 4 points on the line to win 12?”


Former India player Aakash Chopra has opined that the Indian team must look for victory in the second Test against South Africa. He stressed that four points for a draw may not be enough to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

South Africa posted 489 runs in their first innings on Day 2 of the second Test in Guwahati on Sunday, November 23. India finished the day nine without losing in their first innings, trailing the visitors by 480 runs.

During a discussion about star sportsChopra wondered if India he would be willing to risk losing the game trying to win.

“Because the whole story is about the WTC, when you say it's the WTC cycle where you make those pitches where you get quick results, and it's not just our story but the whole world, in that scenario, a draw will give you just four points, which is 17 per cent of the total points available (of the series),” the former India batsman said.

“So whether you get four or zero, what difference does it make in the long run? You have to go for 50 per cent points, and for that, you just have to run fast. You have to take the lead. The big question tomorrow would be: do India want to put four points on the line to win 12?” added Chopra.

The cricketer-turned-commentator pointed out that he wants to see the intent Rishabh pants and company, emphasizing that hitters can drive the game.

“There are 12 points for a win, zero for a loss, and you only get four points for a draw. Four points can decide your future or not. So I just want to see India's intent. When you are bowling, how the game would progress is not in your hands many times, but when the bat is in your hand, you drive the game,” observed Chopra.

Yashasvi Jaiswal (7*) and KL Rahul (2*) were the unbeaten Indian batsmen at Stumps on Day 2 of the Guwahati Test. The duo took a cautious approach in the 6.1 overs they faced before the close of play, but were able to bat more aggressively in the morning session on Day 3.

'Not too much actually' – Aakash Chopra on whether potentially bad light would affect India's approach to second Test IND vs SA 2025

Only 157.2 overs have been bowled in the first two days of the Guwahati Test. (P/C: BCCI/X)Only 157.2 overs have been bowled in the first two days of the Guwahati Test. (P/C: BCCI/X)
Only 157.2 overs have been bowled in the first two days of the Guwahati Test. (P/C: BCCI/X)

In the same discussion, Akash Chopra replied in the negative when asked if India needed to alter their approach due to the possible loss of play due to poor light in Guwahati.

“Actually, not too much, because you're going to try to play well in the overs you have. Tomorrow, you're not going to think about what's going to happen the next day. First play tomorrow. Assuming you only lose two or three wickets, you're going to score 325 to 350 runs. Then you start and say you're going to take the match,” he said in the next two sessions.

India bowled just 81.5 overs on Day 1 of the Guwahati Test before bad light halted play. Only 75.3 overs were bowled on Day 2, including the 6.1 overs faced by the hosts.