Proteas captain Dean Elgar mentioned South Africa are “wary” of India’s abroad success however house circumstances give the hosts an edge within the three-Test sequence beginning Sunday.
India had claimed a 2-1 win on Australian soil earlier this 12 months to qualify for the ultimate of the World Test Championship, which they misplaced to New Zealand.
Virat Kohli’s males achieved a 2-1 lead to England earlier than the fifth Test of the season was postponed to 2022 because of COVID-19.
“I think it’s pretty even-Stevens. Playing us at home, obviously, gives us a little bit of the upper hand,” Elgar mentioned forward of the Boxing Day Test at Centurion.
“They’re ranked No. 1 on the planet; we won’t see it. In my opinion, they have been doing one thing like this for fairly a while – simply being a cricket watcher and a cricket fan.
“You can not give him credit score for what he has completed in the previous couple of years. So, I’m not going to take a seat right here and say that they don’t seem to be the most effective group on the planet due to the rating system for a purpose. But the mere undeniable fact that we’re enjoying in our yard nonetheless offers us an opportunity to go to the sequence. ,
A big a part of India’s abroad success might be attributed to their quick bowling unit and Elgar mentioned the visiting quick bowlers will reap the benefits of South African circumstances that are identified to supply tempo and bounce.
“His power in the intervening time is in his bowling. We are totally conscious of this as nicely. They have had a number of success as a bowling unit. They have a number of outdated spearhead bowlers who lead the assault and so they even have a great back-up set of bowlers,” mentioned Elgar.
“And being in South Africa, I’m fairly positive their bowling assault will take good benefit of the circumstances. Just figuring out that we’ve our quick bowlers and we’ve a bit of little bit of tempo and bounce and the wickets can perform a little extra work in South Africa than wherever else on the planet. ,
India has by no means received a Test sequence on South African soil and Kohli’s group would be the first to attain the feat.
“It (India’s success in Australia and England) is something we are clearly wary of. He has improved a lot with respect to his travel record,” mentioned Elgar.
“I do know Virat Kohli has emphasised that form of level – that he wished to enhance his report on the highway. (we’re) extremely acutely aware of it; He has set himself that commonplace. And I’m positive they’ll attempt to accomplish that inside this sequence.”
The 34-year-old Elgar mentioned his group will do every thing potential to stop India from beating them when the primary Test begins right here on Sunday.
“And as much as I have the strength to be the leader of this team, I am going to try to stop him from fulfilling that role or his dream,” mentioned the left-hander.
“It makes for an thrilling and difficult sequence for each the groups. We know they will be firing; we take nice care of that as nicely.
“I’m pretty sure they know we’re going to be firing too. Either way it’s going to be a very exciting Test series.”
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
