India can chase 350 to win Test, says Pujara

CAPE TOWN: Cheteshwar Pujara feels India are capable of pulling off a chase of 350 in the first Test in Newlands. South Africa extended their overall lead to 142 at stumps on the second day, after finishing on 65/2 in their second innings.

The morning’s play was washed out on Sunday due to rain. The Proteas are poised to pile up a big total with eight wickets in hand, but Pujara is confident of a better show by the Indian top order the next time they bat.

India were 209 all out in reply to South Africa’s 286.

“To be honest, we don’t want to chase too many runs but at the same time, the way the wicket is behaving, I think anywhere around 350 will be chaseable,” Pujara told reporters after the second day’s play.

“In the first innings, the toporder didn’t click but in the second innings we will put up a better show, and if we continue to bat well, we can definitely get more than 350.”

Pujara was an epitome of in a testing morning session but nicked the first ball after lunch from Vernon Philander. Hardik Pandya’s 95-ball 93 rescued India after the batting collapse.

Pujara, who made 26 in a twoand-a-half hour stay, admitted he should have left the Philander delivery alone.

“To be honest, I should have left the ball alone. I made a mistake and got out. It deviated a little more than what I expected,” said Pujara.

“They bowled in the right areas, but we knew what we wanted to do. Rohit got out but otherwise we were trying to build a partnership and we almost got it. So, overall in the first session we lost just one wicket and overall we did bat well (on Day 2).

“The minus point was losing three wickets (on Friday). That’s where we should have batted better.”

Pujara felt Sunday’s rain could help Indian pacers. “Our bowlers might get some more swing. But time is important; (even) if there is rain interruption, we have plenty of time to get a result.”

SIGH OF RELIEF

Rain may have washed out the day’s play but neither India nor Cape Town will complain. Facing acute water shortage, Cape Town will more than embrace this rain as the region is facing water crisis.

In fact, some of the local journalists were heard saying the India team had brought unseasonal rains with them.

India needed this break to regain composure so that they can take to the field on Monday