Two members of South Africa's squad – David Miller and Quinton de Kock have extensive experience of Indian conditions thanks to their several IPL stints and Rassie van der Dussen admitted that the tourists will be heavily relying on the two to challenge the formidable hosts in the T20 series here.
The three-match T20 International series between India and South Africa will get underway at Dharamsala from Sunday, September 15. They will also play 3 Test in October.
Van der Dussen told reporters in a media interaction in Dharamsala, “Wherever you go, you've got to look at the conditions and the guys who know the conditions. Guys like Quinton and David Miller have played a lot of cricket here, so all of us that are having our first experience in T20 cricket here will look to feed off them and talk to them, and ask a lot of questions about how the conditions will play, the different bowlers. We've got to use everything we can to our advantage against a very strong Indian side, so we'll definitely look to do that.”
The vice-captain continued, “We have had two tough training sessions since we have been here and two more are coming up. It has been pretty hot and humid, pretty much like Durban. It is definitely an advantage that we came here a week before the first game.”
Meanwhile, he also believes that the captaincy will only make De Kock a better player. The keeper will lead South Africa in T20Is and Faf du Plessis will be joining the side for Tests in India.
Dussen added, “Quinton is one of those guys who leads by example. He doesn’t say a lot but when he speaks he says really valuable things. He has won a lot of games for South Africa and everyone respects him for that. I am sure the captaincy band around his arm will bring more out of him.”
Last time, South Africans were thrashed by the hosts in Test series but managed to clinch the T20 and ODI series and one of the T20s, they won by seven wickets at the scenic HPCA Stadium, which would also host the series opener and the 30-year-old was hopeful of the similar show here on Sunday.
The Pretoria lad continued, “We have had a look at the conditions, Proteas beat India by seven wickets the last time here. It will be a good wicket to bat on. The boundaries are 65 metres all around, they are not really big. We know what India are going to throw at us and we will prepare accordingly.”
India series will be South Africa’s first appearance since their dismal World Cup campaign in England, and the right-hander said the tourists are looking for a fresh start and raring to take on extremely strong Men in Blue at their home in the upcoming series.
He said, “Last time, we were together at the World Cup. It was a disappointing showing by the team. But now it is a fresh start, we have a new coaching staff. We have spoken a lot about in the last few days how we want to be as a team. We have got a few new faces so it always brings the energy up.”
Rassie signed off by saying, “India are one of the strongest teams in the world, especially in home conditions. They have played some cricket recently against the West Indies. It gives us the advantage of looking at the players and what they are likely to do. We have been off for a while as a team and guys are fresh and raring to go.”
(With PTI Inputs)
