Cheteshwar Pujara believes India’s fast bowling strength will continue to be the point of difference and deliver the country’s maiden Test series win in South Africa this winter. The veteran No.3 batter is taking confidence from Indian quicks’ performances in Australia and England earlier this year and said this is their “best opportunity” to win a Test series in South Africa.
India have been on seven previous Test tours to South Africa but have never managed to clinch a series win. Their best result in the country being the 1-1 draw against a strong South African side back in 2010-11. The Virat Kohli led side last went there in early 2018 and lost the Gandhi-Mandela Trophy 2-1. India regained the coveted silverware at home in 2019.
“Our fast bowlers have been the difference between the two sides whenever we have played abroad. If you look at the Australia series, even if you look at the England series, we have done exceptionally well as a bowling unit and I am sure that will be the case even in South Africa,” Our fast bowlers are our strength and I hope that they will be able to utilise these conditions and give us 20 wickets in every Test match.”
Pujara was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
The Indian Test squad reached South Africa on Friday (December 17) and have just over a week to prepare for the first of the three-Test matches, starting Boxing Day (December 26) in Centurion. While the time up their sleeves to get properly accustomed to the conditions is not enough, Pujara said the tourists should be held in good stead by the pair of Tests played at home recently against New Zealand.
Besides, two of India’s squad members – middle-order bat Hanuma Vihari and back-up opener Priyank Panchal – have been there in South Africa for the best part of last month, having played the ‘A’ series. This, in direct contrast to the Proteas, who last played a Test match in June when they toured the West Indies.
“The good thing is we played a couple of Test matches in India. So most of the guys are in touch, and when it comes to preparation, the support staff has been excellent. They have been supporting us well and we have five or six days more before we head into the first Test,”
Pujara said.
“I am sure there is enough time for us to prepare and guys are looking forward to this series. This is the best opportunity for us to win our first series in South Africa. So all of us are looking forward to it.”
Pujara also said there are no concerns within the Indian squad with regards to dealing with the more restrictive Covid-19 protocols and bio-bubble norms for the tour. The Indian trip was earlier supposed to be held and hosted within a relaxed set of health regulations by the CSA. But those plans had to be changed in the wake of the Omicron threat, which forced India to delay their arrival by a week and led to the postponement of the four T20Is that were also originally part of the schedule.
Pujara talked about the benefits of such an environment as the squad stays together and players get to spend more time with each other, which helps with the team bonding.
The second and third Tests of the series will be played in Johannesburg (January 3-7) and Cape Town (January 11-15). The ODI leg of the tour will have matches on January 19 and 21 in Paarl before Cape Town hosts the final one-dayer on January 23.
