"It starts from the toss" - Ravindra Jadeja laments lack of luck after another poor day for India in IND vs SA 2025 Test series

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja lamented India's lack of luck with the toss as the hosts stared at a 2-0 defeat after Day 4 of the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati. He opined that India could have been in a much better situation had they won the toss and batted first.

South Africa continued to boss India on Day 4 of the second Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Tuesday, November 25. Resuming their second innings at 26-0, they declared at 260-5. Chasing an improbable target of 549, Team India were in big trouble at stumps, having been reduced to 27-2.

Speaking at the press conference at the end of Day 4, Jadeja admitted that things have not gone right for India in the Test series. He, however, added that situations too have not been in their favor. The seasoned all-rounder explained:

"In cricket, it's all about timing. It starts from the toss. If we would have won the toss on this wicket, we would have been in a good situation right now. But, that's part and parcel of the game. Now, we have to play good cricket on Day 5 and trust our defense."

While India's bowlers have struggled to make an impact in Guwahati, their South African counterparts have excelled on the same surface. Admitting that there was turn on offer for their bowlers as well in the second innings, Jadeja explained that South Africa had a massive advantage mentally due to a huge lead. He said:

“The ball had started turning slightly when we were bowling. But the thing is, they were already in a good situation. They had such a big lead from the first innings, so they didn’t have any panic thoughts like, ‘Okay, it’s turning.’ But since tomorrow is Day 5, the ball will turn more, it will bounce more - that is expected."

Jadeja registered figures of 4-62 from 28.3 overs in South Africa's second innings to go with his two wickets in the first. Washington Sundar picked up the only other wicket to fall in Proteas' second innings.

---

"It will be as good as a win" - Ravindra Jadeja looks ahead to Day 5 of 2nd IND vs SA 2025 Test

While a win for India in Guwahati is out of the question, they can still draw the Test match and avoid a 2-0 whitewash. Jadeja opined that it will be important for India to start well tomorrow, adding that a draw would be as good as a win for them.

"We will have to play well, session by session. If we start well tomorrow and don’t give wickets in the first session, then obviously even the bowlers feel pressure that they have to get us out. And for us, that will be a win-win situation. If we play through the whole day tomorrow, then for us, it will be as good as a win," the 36-year-old added.

At stumps on Day 4 in Guwahati, Sai Sudharsan was batting on two and Kuldeep Yadav on four. Team India lost their openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul for 13 and six runs respectively.