Former India pacer Ashish Nehra, who recently hung his boots from all forms of cricket, feels that the green top at the Eden garden for the first Test match against Sri Lanka will help them prepare for the upcoming tour to South Africa earlier next year.
“The Eden wicket is good preparation for India’s tour of South Africa. There the ball will have carry and have lateral movement. This wicket is giving them a good test of roughly what lies ahead,” the tall and lanky left-arm pacer was heard saying.
The men in blues are scheduled to play three Test matches, six One-Day Internationals and three T20I against the Proteas.
Talking about how India will cope-up with the challenge of Kagiso Rabada and the old-war horse Dale Steyn, Nehra felt it won’t be much of pressure for the Indian batsmen as they have performed all over of the world.
“I don’t think India will be under pressure in South Africa. I hear a lot of talk about that but if they have Steyn and Rabada, we have Kohli and he is always ready to perform against adversity,” Nehra stated.
The 38-year-old Nehra further admitted that Mohammad Shami would be the answer to South Africa’s Dale Steyn. Mohammad Shami, who has been in and out of the team due to injuries is a great exponent of reverse swing bowling and has the happy knack of picking wickets at regular intervals.
Nehra, who made his commentary debut in the ongoing Test against Sri Lanka, feels that there is no need to panic despite losing early wickets.
“It’s a good wicket. As I said, it is a good preparation for South Africa. There is nothing to fear for India though as Sri Lanka would have to bat also. The par score would be 200-220 on this track,” Nehra signed off.