With Team India set to tour South Africa early next year on the back of some consistent performances in Test cricket of late, former Proteas skipper Graeme Smith believes playing in the South African conditions will be the real Test for the world number one side.
India is yet to lose a series under Virat Kohli’s captaincy since he led the team against Sri Lanka in 2015 which was his first full series as a skipper.
India had won that series 2-1 which was their first Test series win in Sri Lanka after 22 years. After that, the Kohli-led side had defeated South Africa 3-0 before the mammoth 2016-17 season, where they beat West Indies (2-0), New Zealand (3-0), England (4-0), Bangladesh (1-0), Australia (2-1) and recently whitewashed Sri Lanka in their backyard.
However, most of the wins have come in the friendly conditions, and Smith believes the real challenge awaits Virat Kohli & Co. when they take of Faf du Plessis’ men in tough conditions of South Africa.
“India have been doing quite well in Test cricket. A lot can be attributed to how Virat Kohli has been playing Test cricket and inspiring team-mates. I think the conditions in South Africa will be very different and western for the Indian team. They have been playing either at home or in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean where the ball comes a bit slow. The conditions in SA will be the real test for the Indians,” Smith told Hindustan Times.
Smith expressed his excitement over seeing the Indian batsmen taking on the South African bowlers and also said that the return of Dale Steyn would boost the Proteas.
“It would be interesting to see how Indians fare against SA bowlers like Rabada, Morkel, Philander and Keshav Maharaj. Also, having Dale Steyn back in the side would work for the SA team. He has done well against the Indians and having his experience would mean a lot for SA. I think SA batsmen will have to score big. The batting department looks a bit unsettled. Also, the combination SA chooses will make a difference,” he said.