IND v SA 2019: Lack of experience hurting South Africa, says Faf du Plessis after defeat in Pune

South Africa went 2-0 down in the three-match Test series versus India.

India has dominated the proceedings | AFP

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis rued his team's "inexperience" after going down 2-0 in the Test series in India saying it is indeed extremely difficult to replace the likes of Dale Steyn and Hashim Amla is such a short span of time. 

The Proteas suffered a 203-run loss in the first Test in Visakhapatnam followed by an innings and a 137-run defeat in the second Test in Pune. 

"I think, it's purely a case of inexperience. I said before this Test series, your best Test teams are the teams with the most experience. When it comes to this Indian team, there's a lot of experience in that dressing room, there's a lot of Test matches behind their names," Du Plessis said at the post-match press conference on Sunday (October 13). 

Read Also: Faf du Plessis says that to win in subcontinent one has to be on top of their game

"We are at this stage where we have lost almost all of our experience. Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, all of them were seasoned campaigners. You don't replace those guys overnight."

"And now it's a new group of guys, who have played 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 15 Test matches. That will take time. If you take the best players out of any team, they would find the same challenges," he added. 

In wake of adversity, it is important, Du Plessis said, for him and the relatively experienced campaigners like Dean Elgar, Quinton de Kock to stand-up and be counted. 

"For us, it is important as a senior player group to make sure that we put in performances ourselves. Myself, Deano, Quinny (De Kock), we can't expect other guys to make runs."

"We need to make sure we make the runs first and then the others guys to chip in with us. In a time like this, it is important that your big guys really, really take control and make sure that they put in the bulk of the work," he added.  

The skipper indicated there could definitely be a few changes in the line-up for the third Test that begins on October 19 in Ranchi. 

"The batting failed in the first innings and from the starting point of view, we have not started well. Every single innings, we have been in a position where we have been 40 or 50 for three. It's a vital component as how you start in the sub-continent," Du Plessis said.

"India could be a tough place to play if you lose form. And perhaps it is a good opportunity to get some fresh heads into the team. Just from my mental point of view, it can be a place for you like, where's my next one (hundred) going to come from."

Du Plessis was also quick to lavish praise on his Indian counterpart Virat Kohli for his epic double hundred in Pune. 

"Virat's knock was incredible," he said. "Surprised that he started slow, normally he is quite busy and gets off quite well. He was quite patient in the beginning, which was required in the wicket, he left well."

"And then, sheer mental toughness to bat for that long. It takes huge amount of brain power. You can see that, and you can only admire from a distance."

(Inputs from PTI)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 14 Oct, 2019

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