IND vs SA: Virat Kohli and Co, watch out for Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar

Aiden Markram and Dean Elgar. Pics/AFP

When Virat Kohli & Co toured South Africa in 2017-18, it was the beginning of a new era with the team setting new benchmarks. Although they failed to win that series, the Johannesburg victory in tough conditions was one of the biggest positives.

As the team gear up for yet another three-Test series in the Rainbow Nation, the aim will be to create history. Team India have won just three Test matches in South Africa and this seems to be the golden opportunity to make amends for that poor record.

Amol Muzumdar, who was batting coach for South Africa when they toured India in 2019-20, termed Team India favourites, but warned that Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram are two South African batsmen who can trouble the Indians. "This is our best chance [to win a Test series] with the kind of bowling and batting line-ups we have. We should be termed favourites," Muzumdar told mid-day on Wednesday.

Amol Muzumdar

"Elgar and Markram have always been my marquee players. If Markram gets going in the first Test, his confidence will be soaring high. Elgar has got the tenacity. The South Africans are known as tough nuts and Elgar is right up there. Khadus hai [tough batsman]. About Markram, I have always believed the touch and the flair that he has, I would like to see him succeed because I reckon he is a superstar in the making," added the Mumbai coach.

Team India go into the Boxing Day Test, beginning on December 26, without any tour game due to COVID-19 protocol. All that they have done so far is match simulations and centre-wicket practise. Muzumdar reckoned acclimatisation is going to be the key. "It should be a good series. Acclimatising to the conditions is the most challenging part. However, with the ‘A' team tours before an international tour is one of the good concepts introduced in the last five-six years," said the domestic stalwart with 11,167 first-class runs.

Check out this podcast: Episode 2 : Mid-day's Mumbai Cricket Podcast with Clayton Murzello Ft. Amol Muzumdar

"There is a little bit of tennis-ball bounce in South Africa. It is a different bounce than the general bounce we experience in Australia and England. That's the difference and touring teams find it difficult to score there," Muzumdar observed.

Muzumdar remarked that the Indian batters would not find it difficult to tackle Proteas pacer Kagiso Rabada. "Unfortunately, Anrich Nortje is ruled out due to a hip injury, but we might be able to overcome Rabada after playing him so many times in the IPL. That uniqueness of facing Rabada has gone and we should be able to tackle him," Muzumdar signed off.