"If we need to bat 2 days for a draw, we have the individuals" - When Gautam Gambhir made a massive statement ahead of IND vs NZ 2024 Tests

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir had a massive responsibility with the Test team after taking over from Rahul Dravid after the 2024 T20 World Cup. The former opening batter kick-started his reign with the red-ball unit with a 2-0 whitewash against Bangladesh, but a downward spiral has followed since then.

The Men in Blue lost out in the race for the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) Final after series losses to New Zealand and Australia, with the former coming on home soil. The 0-3 drubbing marked India's first Test series loss at home in 12 years.

While Gambhir guided a team in transition to a 2-2 series draw in England to begin the next cycle, the Test team's home troubles continue as they are currently on the brink of a 0-2 series loss to South Africa. The head coach had major plans with the new-look team, especially after he outlined his intentions and expectations during the early stages of his reign.

Ahead of the first Test against New Zealand in 2024, Gambhir had mentioned how the versatile team is capable of smashing 400 runs in a single day, as well as capable of batting out two whole days to salvage a draw.

"We want to be that team that can score 400 runs in a day, and also bat for two days for a draw. That's called growth, you call that adaptability, and that is Test cricket. If you keep playing in the same way, then that is not growth," Gambhir had said during the pre-match press conference in Bengaluru (via BCCI).

"If we are ever in a situation, where if we need to bat 2 days for a draw, we have the individuals in the dressing room, who can bat those 2 days. Ultimately, the first motive is to win the match, and the second or the last option is to look for a draw," he added.

Team India are currently embroiled in such a situation where they need to bat out 108 overs to avoid a series whitewash, and salvage some WTC points. South Africa have set the hosts an improbable target of 549 in the second Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, after their declaration midway through the final session on Day 4.

Team India end Day 4 on 27-2 in IND vs SA 2025 2nd Test as pressure mounts on Gautam Gambhir

Tasked with batting out the final phase of play on the day amid fading light, Team India found it tough to survive. With a run chase most definitely out of the equation, the openers looked to see off the final hour of play against a buoyant South African unit.

KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal both lost their wickets as the Men in Blue had to bring out their night watchman in Kuldeep Yadav to avoid more casualties ahead of the final day. At Stumps, India are placed at 27-2 after 15.5 overs, with the target still 522 runs away.