SA vs IND 2018: 'Don’t write off India', Brian McMillan warnes SA

Second Test will be played on 13 January at Centurion.

South African player their Cape Town win over India | Getty Images

Former South African pacer Brian McMillan –who was part of the national squad during India’s first ever Test in the rainbow nation in 1992-93, has expressed his opinion on the ongoing Freedom Series between the countries.

The hosts won the first Test by 72-runs and took a 1-0 lead in the three-match Test series against India, which raised questions over India’s future in the series. McMillan warned the hosts that they must not become self-complacent with Cape Town victory, saying they should not write off Virat Kohli's team, who has been continuously dominating in the longest format of the game and currently are the number one Test team in the world.

According to a report in Sportstarlive, Brian said, “Let’s face it, it was a tough wicket to bat on and the conditions were conducive to Vernon Philander that worked for him. But then, let’s not get too excited.”

He further added, “There will be a bounce on the track and hopefully it would not jag as much as it did in Cape Town. Hopefully, there will be some real competitive cricket in the next couple of Tests.”

Team India looking to comeback strongly in the second Test | Getty Images

The 54-year-old went to further added that the Proteas should not take lightly India’s key weapons –Virat Kohli and R Ashwin, adding “Ashwin not only can bowl but even he batted steadily at that position as well. Tomorrow, it could be a Virat Kohli or a Shikhar Dhawan. Let’s not forget, these players are real match winners and they have done so well for their side over the years.”

He has also a piece of advice for the pacers, saying ‘if you bowl in proper line and length, you would succeed’.

As Dale Steyn was ruled out of the Test series with an injured heel, former SA pacer said that the hosts will surely miss the services of their premier pacers.

McMillan concluded by saying, “It’s a pity that South Africa would miss him. But with Morkel, Philander and Rabada around, there are always enough people to pick things up quickly.”

 

 

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 10 Jan, 2018

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