MUMBAI, Dec 15: South Africa is the final frontier that the Indian Test team is yet to conquer but skipper Virat Kohli firmly believes that his side can do “something special” in its upcoming tour of the Rainbow Nation with a maiden series win there.
India would look to improve on their recent impressive record overseas when they take on South Africa in a three-match Test series, starting December 26, under Kohli’s captaincy.
“We are very well placed in terms of experience, belief and confidence that this time around we can do something special and get the results that we want as a team and overcome probably the toughest conditions to go and win a series,” Kohli said on Wednesday.
“South Africa is one place where we have not won a series yet. So we are very motivated to do that. And the mindset is always to go there and win a series in any country that we play.
“We don’t anymore think of just winning a Test here and there and we will do our absolute best that we can as a team and make sure that we keep contributing towards that cause,” he added.
India had created history by beating Australia on their own turf twice, and were leading England 2-1 before their UK tour was abruptly suspended earlier this year.
India have played 20 Tests in South Africa, winning only three, and in their last tour in 2018, they gave a tough fight but still lost the series 1-2. India recently defeated New Zealand 1-0 in a two-match Test series at home.
In the history of Test cricket, there are only three teams – England, Australia and Sri Lanka – who have managed to beat South Africa in their own backyard.
India have in the recent past stuck to a five-bowler combination, in the absence of seam-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya.
But this time around, they will be tested fully with their spin-bowling all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja out with a forearm injury. Kohli said they would miss the seasoned Jadeja but that won’t be a “deciding factor”.
There will be no tour game ahead of the first Test on Boxing Day but Kohli stressed on centre wicket practice and match simulation. (PTI)
