SA vs IND 2018: Virat Kohli will lead from the front, says Virender Sehwag

The series starts from January 5.

Kohli and his boys have already reached South Africa. (Getty Images)

Virat Kohli will face a stern test as India captain as he leads India in a full-fledged series against South Africa to start his life after marriage. India has already reached South Africa and are down to the preparations before the series kicks off.

Virender Sehwag in an exclusive interview to India TV spoke about India’s chances in the series and how Virat Kohli will lead this Indian outfit in the series. "I am sure Virat Kohli will lead from the front. He will score a lot of runs," Sehwag, who is India TV's cricket expert, spoke on "Cricket Ki Baat" show.

Talking about how important this season is going to be for Kohli, Sehwag said: "The year 2018 is starting with a big challenge. The tour of South Africa will be India and Virat Kohli's biggest challenge this year. If Virat manages to win the series, he will be the first Indian captain to do so."

"As a captain, you need to have a clear strategy in place in South Africa... how to get rid of their batsmen, how to handle their fast bowlers. It is important to implement them on the field," Sehwag added.

"The form of the batsmen will be very important in South Africa. If your batsmen can match the South African batsmen in first innings then the pressure will be on them because they are playing at home. So, Kohli and the boys have to match South Africa's first innings total," said the former Indian batsmen in the Indian batting line up.

Sehwag also pointed out the fact that this series will be a stepping stone in Virat Kohli’s career as captain as victory in this series will start off his away series victories. Team India are well prepared for the series and according to Sehwag its all about implementation now.

"As a batsman, Virat will face his biggest challenge in England and I think he is also looking forward to it. I am sure he will perform better this time. 2014 was his first tour to England and he was very young that time... he might not have been completely aware of the conditions there. But this time, he will go there as a player and as a captain. He will have that confidence in himself this time around. Before touring England, he will play in South Africa and in the IPL, so he will be more confident," he concluded.

 
 

By Anshuman Roy - 29 Dec, 2017

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