IND Vs SA: As The Match Lies In Balance, Pujara Believes 'The Pitch Will Deteriorate On Day 4'

IND Vs SA 2nd Test: Pujara also said that Dean Elgar has a 'weird technique' but 'he makes runs' and thus India need to get him out quickly on Day 4 of the Johannesburg Test match.

Image: AFP

South Africa vs India 2nd Johannesburg Test has reached a very interesting turn where India requires eight wickets to seal the match and the series while South Africa requires just about 122 runs to win the Test.

It can be anybody's game at this point, but one has to believe that with Dean Elgar & van der Dussen firmly holding ground, South Africa's chances look much brighter. Nonetheless, Cheteshwar Pujara doesn't feel the same and he feels that the pitch will deteriorate on Day 4 that will help the Indian bowlers. 

"Always important to get some runs as a batsman, especially on challenging pitches where you can't score big runs. It's been challenging and we have runs on the board, so it is very balanced. Although we didn't take too many wickets, we are confident that the pitch will deteriorate tomorrow," Pujara said at the end of third day's play on Wednesday. (as quoted by Cricbuzz)

That's Stumps on Day 3 of the second #SAvIND Test!

South Africa move to 118/2 at the close of play & need 122 runs more.

We will see you tomorrow for Day 4 action.

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/b3aaGXmBg9 pic.twitter.com/YhHvV165cY

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 5, 2022

Dean Elgar, the South African captain is at the crease and he is battling his way out in the middle. Elgar was just four runs short of his half-century. Speaking on Dean Elgar and whether his innings will be a hindrance in India's route, Pujara said, "The way he (Elgar) bats, it looks like there will be a catch coming into the slips," Pujara said. "He has a different technique and temperament and it looks weird sometimes but he makes runs and we have to get him out quickly."

South Africa is 122 runs away from winning the IND vs SA 2nd Test, level the three-match Test series 1-1, while India needs 8 wickets to make it 2-0 and get their first-ever Test series win in South Africa.