SA v IND 2018: Rahul Dravid confident of a balanced Indian team giving South Africa a tough fight

The first Test between India and South Africa will begin in Cape Town on January 5, 2018.

Virat Kohli will be the key batsman for India, feels Rahul Dravid | Reuters

Team India under the helm of Virat Kohli will depart for a tough 3 Tests, 6 ODIs and 3 T20Is tour of South Africa. India has never won a Test series in South Africa and their current form puts them as favorites to win the series this time.

Former India captain Rahul Dravid, who will depart for the U19 World Cup with the U19 team, has said that this Indian team was balanced enough to provide some tough fight to the Proteas.

"They have a fair chance this time because it's a balanced team. They've got good spinners, fast bowlers and all-rounders. Our batsmen are also well experienced. I hope we put up a strong performance this time in South Africa," Dravid told India TV.

"We aren't going to South Africa for the first time. Senior batsmen like Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma, all have toured South Africa before. They have an idea of what to expect from those playing conditions. If you have a fair idea of conditions, you can prepare well for challenges ahead," he added.

Rahul Dravid also said that Virat Kohli in his current run of form, will be the batsman to look out for from Indian team.

"With the way Virat is playing right now, I hope he continues to make runs in South Africa as well. He has made a lot of runs in Australia, where we see playing conditions similar to South Africa. Every cricketer needs a bit of luck and if Virat gets it on the tour, I believe there will be no stopping," Dravid said.

Team India will be embarking on a tough 18 months of overseas challenges, with tours to England, Australia and New Zealand in the upcoming cricket season.

 

 
 

By Jatin Sharma - 28 Dec, 2017

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