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IND vs SA 2nd Test: Ex-India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has revealed that the approach of the Indian batters for the rest of the Test match should be simple-they shouldn't think about the mammoth target and should focus on batting well. Since the hosts are on the verge of losing another Test series at home, Pujara emphasised that focusing on the target will only do more damage to an already weak batting lineup.

The Proteas declared their second innings target at 260/5 and had set the target for India of 549 runs. While chasing, the host yet again had a shaky start as openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal got out early, and the hosts were tottering at 27/2 till stumps on day 4. The surface looked benign when the Indian bowlers were bowling, and then it became bowler-friendly for the Protea fast bowlers, and that showed India's weakness in pressure situations.

In an interaction on Star Sports, Pujara said that the only way the host can bounce back is by not thinking about the scorecard and should play like Test batters.

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“It feels like, in this match, the Indian team needs to think less about winning and more about batting well first, because the win always comes at the end. And if you look at that scorecard, when a number like 400-plus comes to your mind, your focus automatically shifts away from batting and more towards the final result — and that’s when your batting can never really be good,” Pujara was quoted as saying on Star Sports.

Pujara, who is known for batting long in a Test innings, highlighted how important it is to stay in the present and build partnerships even when things are not in your favour.

“So take the scorecard out of your mind. Whenever you get an opportunity to bat, focus only on your batting. Every single game is important in these conditions, so concentrate on the one in front of you. Try to build partnerships, and only after that should you look at the final result. For now, just focus on batting well,” he added.

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He made these statements owing to the way the Indian Test batters have been criticised and couldn't even score more than 300 in any innings, and have failed against brilliant bowling attacks. Since the senior batters have failed to fire and the youngsters have been inconsistent, the ongoing Test match has only shown how far the Indian team has fallen from where it was in its own backyard.

Till stumps on Day 4, the hosts were reeling at 27/2, and once again the top order collapsed on a surface which was batter-friendly when the Proteas were batting.

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