Former India legend Sunil Gavaskar has said that the Indian team had missed a golden chance to win a Test series in South Africa in 2018. This comes ahead of India’s two Tests against South Africa which will be played after the ongoing ODI series.
India first traveled to South Africa for a Test series in 1992 and since then, out of the eight series they have played in Rainbow Nation, India has lost 7 of them, drawing one.
India will hope to break the curse and batting greatness in the upcoming Test series, led by Rohit Sharma.
Sunil Gavaskar believes this is the "best opportunity" for the touring team. He also opined that India should have won the series back in 2018 when the side lost 1-2 to South Africa.
"Absolutely. Look at South Africa, they are without two of their best bowlers. No Nortje, no Rabada. Now this means that the Indian batting line-up can, if they play sensibly, they should be able to put up 400, 400-plus scores without too much of an issue. Yes, initially, it will be a little bit tough while the ball is shiny red and with the bounce.
But that's what Test cricket is all about. That's why you've got five days. They need to bat well. If they keep scoring 300 and 500, they will give their bowlers enough of an opportunity to be able to knock the South Africans in both the innings," Gavaskar said on Star Sports.
"I think this is probably the best opportunity. 2018 was where I thought they should be winning. They really should have won in 2018. They had the best lineup not so much two years ago, but 2018 was where they missed out on big time on winning the series," he added.
The first Test between the two sides will be played on December 28 at SuperSport Park, Centurion. The second and final match will start on January 3 at Newlands, Cape Town.
