We have enough runs on board: Cheteshwar Pujara

Johannesburg: Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara today said that his side have enough runs on the board to press for a win on the final day tomorrow in the first cricket Test against South Africa here.

Chasing a huge 458 for a victory, the Proteas finished the fourth and penultimate day today at 138 for two, still needing 320 runs for a win with eight wickets in hand though injured Morne Morkel may not bat tomorrow.

"We are happy with the two wickets we have got and the way they have come. The conditions will be a little more difficult tomorrow. We have got enough runs on board. But it's important for us to get a few wickets in the first session so that we can capitalise later on," Pujara said at the press conference after the day's play.

"The wicket has variable bounce and we have seen cracks opening up. We are expecting that we will get more movement tomorrow from the ball that will hit the cracks. Even while I was batting in the morning I felt that the odd ball was going up and down," said Pujara.

Pujara scored 153 in the second innings to help India reach 421 all out and set up the stiff target for the world's number one Test side. He was run-out in first innings for 25.

"I was batting well in the first innings (when I was run out). I knew the start was important. Initially (in second innings), I was trying to look through the conditions as the ball was new and was doing a bit. I was patient and waited for the opportunity to accelerate.

"I was trying to play the ball as late as possible trying to watch the ball till it hit the bat so that whenever there was variable bounce, I could play accordingly. So, it was important to see through the new ball and then play my shorts," he said.

This was the fourth time in 16 Tests that Pujara has crossed the 150-run mark and he said every such big score only improved his concentration and technique.

"Whenever I score big runs that improves my concentration and patience. Whether it is a domestic game or international game, it helps to improve technique and mind set as well. Those double hundreds and other big knocks (in domestic cricket) helped me to boost my confidence," said Pujara, who dedicated his century to his father who celebrated his birthday today.

In doing so, he added 222 runs for the third wicket with Virat Kohli, who scored 96 runs after a century in the first innings. Perhaps the Indian batsmen have also answered the scarred comments from the South African bowlers while at it.

"I think we have. There were a lot of talk about this tour, especially the Indian batsmen not doing well overseas but everybody took the responsibility and did it as a unit. It was an important innings for me as well because I wanted to score runs in SA, considering the conditions here a little difficult," he said.

"But I think it is still early and we need to do a lot. It is a very good start for us considering the position we are in. So, we just have to take confidence from it and look to gain from whatever we have achieved in this match and carry forward from this."

Talking about Kohli, he said, "We have played many innings together and the communication between us is also very good. We have got a very good rapport because we are of the same age and whenever we want to pass on information or chat about something it becomes easier."

In the end, it's about the 90 overs tomorrow and India would be looking to defend their unbeaten record against South Africa at Johannesburg.

"Because of the variable bounce it's tougher to face pace bowlers than spinners and we have to bowl as a unit and spinners have to hold from one end and fast bowlers can do the damage from the other end. You never know as tomorrow being the last day, the wicket might slow down and we get some more turn. I think fast bowlers can do more damage," Pujara said.     

We are looking for a draw: SA assistant coach

We are looking for a draw: SA assistant coach

Johannesburg: South Africa's assistant coach Adrian Birrell today conceded that his side face a daunting task chasing 458 runs for a win in the first cricket Test against India here and said they would look for a draw on the fifth day tomorrow.

"We are playing for a draw at the moment. When we started batting, we were not looking at batting 135 overs, but just batting until tea and not losing any wicket. Then we batted through the last session, and we lost two wickets. It puts us in a good position to fight for the draw on the final day," Birrell said at the press conference after the fourth day's play.

Asked specifically if the young Indian team has surprised the world number one Test team, the assistant coach answered in the affirmative. "Yes they have. They are a quality side and this is a different format. They have batted well with patience," he said.

South Africa were 138 for 2 at stumps on day four, needing 320 more runs for a win on the final day tomorrow. They still have eight wickets in hand but injured Morne Morkel is in doubt to bat tomorrow after he twisted his ankle yesterday.

"We will be drawing from past experience, both from winning positions and matches where we drew games. This is a team that has done remarkable things in the past. Tomorrow, if we are only two down at lunch we can make a match of it.

"We have some remarkable players like A B de Villiers who can control the situation then. But we need to bat 85 out of 90 overs and if we do that then the match will probably go down to the wire," Birrell said.

The Proteas did not send out Jacques Kallis at number four after the fall of Hashim Amla's wicket, instead sending Faf du Plessis. Kallis was out for a duck in first innings.

"No, we have full faith in Kallis. But he is not a young player anymore. He bowled quite a lot today and AB kept wickets the whole day, so we gave them an additional night's rest. Also, we have full faith in Faf, who has done well in first innings and has a lot of experience. We expect both our batsmen to fight it out in the middle," said Birrell.

The trick for South Africa will be to not lose early wickets in the morning session. It might give them a chance later on in the day, whilst chasing a huge target.

"The first hour is very important. We need not to lose wickets so that it gives us the foundation to fight for rest of the day. Every session is a match in itself. We expect variable bounce tomorrow, but if batsmen get settled, then runs can come freely. So we will be playing accordingly. It is about building partnerships," Birrell said.