India will host South Africa in two Test matches, starting on November 14.
Temba Bavuma, who led South Africa to the World Test Championship (WTC) title earlier this year, is all set to captain his national team in the upcoming two-match Test series against India.
While the first Test will be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata from November 14 to 18, Guwahati’s Barsapara Cricket Stadium will host the second Test from November 22 to 26.
Ahead of the start of the series, Bavuma has fired a warning to the hosts, saying that there’s a massive opportunity for his team to win a Test series in India.
“I think as a South African team, I don’t think we’ve won a Test series here in India for a long time. So, I think there’s a massive opportunity there and I think there’s a big target on our backs as a South African Test team," Bavuma was quoted as saying by PTI on Wednesday (November 5).
South Africa’s last Test series win on Indian soil came way back in 2000 under Hansie Cronje’s leadership. “I think there’s expectation on us (as world champions)," Bavuma added.
Bavuma does not view the upcoming Test series as an easier assignment after the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, but he feels his team has a stronger chance of winning in India after 25 years thanks to its quality spin attack.
“It’s always tough playing in India. You’ve seen the young talent that has come in. The guys come in, they are all filling the boots. It is a big task," Bavuma said.
“Those guys you mentioned have performed over a number of years for India, and they’ve put India on the map of where they are. But yeah, we’ll prepare as well as we can, understand the challenges that we’ll find here, and strive to put our best foot forward," he remarked.
One of the weaknesses that Bavuma would like to exploit is Indian batters’ recent struggle against quality spin.
“Bowling has always been a strength of ours as a team. Now, we’re probably even better poised with those spin resources. We have Tristan Stubbs as well, if we do need another off-spinner, he can come in with something different," he noted.
Bavuma also mentioned the three quality spinners in the Proteas line-up -— left-arm spinners Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthuswamy and off-spinner Simon Harmer.
“You need the bowlers to be able to take 20 wickets, right? I think now we’re quite confident in our ability and if the conditions are saying that spin is the threat, then at least we have the resources," he said.
(With inputs from PTI)