Sure, this could be the best Indian team that has travelled to South Africa
Sure, this could be the best Indian team that has travelled to South Africa. This side, under Mahendra Singh Dhoni, hasn't lost a Test series since 2008 (Anil Kumble was skipper during that unsuccessful tour of Sri Lanka), has au00a0 batting outfit that boasts of over 50,000 runs, is at the top of the rankings, and is slowly but surely enriching its legacy.
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| India's Zaheer Khan (left), Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid during training at SuperSport Park. |
If seeds are to be sown for this team to match the eminence of Clive Lloyd's Windies, or Steve Waugh's Aussies, India must achieve their maiden Test series win in South Africa.
These are elements around which the three-Test series that gets underway today has been built. It is being touted as India's final frontier.
Rain, a painThere has been sporadic rain in Pretoria since the last week. There aren't any thunderstorms or heavy showers, but the on and off drizzle has hampered the players' preparations.
The weather forecast for the five days of the Test is not too encouraging either. In fact, the Indians did not practice yesterday, staying back in their hotel in Johannesburg.
Amidst all the fuss about the 'rock stars' of cricket landing on their shores, the South African camp was silently brimming with confidence on the eve of the first Test here at SuperSport Park, a venue where the hosts have a win-loss record of 11-1 from 15 Tests.
Harbhajan Singh had figures of 3-168 in the only Test he played in South Africa way back in 2001, Zaheer is set to miss the first Test, that leaves the visitors with an unproven bowling attack. When reminded of this fact by this correspondent, Dhoni said: "It is a blessing in disguise. Some of the younger guys can put their hands up and become heroes. Harbhajan has played other formats here, so that doesn't concern us. He adapts quickly to conditions."
Ready, India?"Are you guys ready?" a confident Alviro Peterson asked this correspondent few minutes before an indoor batting session.
Ashwell Prince, who was the leading run-scorer when India last toured here in 2006-07, said his side's disappointing results against England and Pakistan recently won't have a bearing on the series against India: "As a team, we are confident as ever. Having our skipper (Graeme Smith) back (from injury) has given us a morale-boost. I have always enjoyed playing against India. It is going to be a good challenge once again.
There's probably more on the line this time around (when compared to 06-07)," he told MiD DAY.
"They are a good side but we are very tough to beat at home. Their fast bowlers have the skill to do well in flat pitches in the subcontinent, so we expect them to do well here in more seamer-friendly conditions," Prince added.
Graeme Smith too was quick to remind India that they had to win in South Africa to prove a worthy No 1 team: "India are under a lot of pressure to prove themselves. We respect what they bring to the table, a side with so much experience and know-how, but we are not intimidated by them."
Smith also took a pot-shot at Virender Sehwag for an ordinary record on South African soil: "You must understand that the runs he (Sehwag) has got against us have been in sub-continental conditions. During India's last tour here he was pushed down the order to No 7 during the last Test. Clearly, he has demons to put right when it comes to performing in South Africa. "There will be no special treatment for Sehwag. We will treat him just like the other batsmen," added Smith.
