India head coach Ravi Shastri has backed Virat Kohli & Co. to lead the country to its first series win in South Africa.
Ravi Shastri has started his spell as Team India’s head coach on a firm note, but the former India all-rounder is under no illusion that his as well the high-flying team’s toughest test so far will be when they tour South Africa next month for a full-fledged series.
Shastri’s tenure began on a perfect note, as Virat Kohli & Co. registered a historic ‘tour wash’ in Sri Lanka, sweeping the Islanders in three Tests, five One-Day Internationals and the one-off T20 International.
The juggernaut rolled on against reigning world champions Australia too, as the Men in Blue thrashed them 4-1 in the ODI series before squaring the T20I series 1-1.
New Zealand provided a stiff test for India, but Virat Kohli’s men once again came out on top, winning the ODI and T20I with a similar 2-1 margin. The world number one Test side is currently playing the three-Test series against Sri Lanka and has already taken an unassailable 1-0 lead following the massive an innings and 239-run victory in the second Test.
The hosts are likely to win the ongoing series too, but the focus is now firmly set on the forthcoming tour of South Africa where India will play three Tests, six ODIs and three T20Is.
India had never won a series in South Africa, but Shastri believes the current side can break that duck.
“South Africa tour will be an opportunity to prove ourselves. The key to success abroad is consistency. And this team has it in them to win abroad. I don’t see any reason why these boys can’t perform,” Shastri said at the CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2017.
Earlier this week, former Australia batsman Dean Jones had also said that India could win the Test series in South Africa because of their formidable bowling.
“Bowling is India’s key, and they have got really good pace attack. I love Shami; I love he goes about his bowling. Ashwin too will lead the spin attack. All in all, I won’t be surprised if they try to do it (win the Test series),” he was quoted as saying by NDTV.
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