Proteas pacer Wayne Parnell on Saturday (June 11) said it will be a challenge for the visitors to keep their players, who featured in the recently held IPL season, fresh and mentally ready over the course of the five-T20I series against India.
South Africa's star players such as David Miller, Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen and Anrich Nortje were part of the two-month long IPL that preceded the ongoing T20 series.
However, they didn’t look burned out as the tourists defeated the hosts by seven wickets in a high-scoring first T20I in Delhi on June 9.
"It's important to get them fresh and ready for the matches, it's been 10-12 weeks in the IPL with a lot of time in the bubble. Getting guys mentally ready is going to be key for us," said Parnell in a press conference on the eve of the second T20I.
In the first game, Parnell made a comeback to the T20I side after more than five years. The 32-year-old comes into the series rather fresh, having played his last competitive game in March this year.
"Being part of the national team is always a privilege. Certainly, coming back into this group, it was a different feel to it. It's just nice being here."
Wayne Parnell is expecting the Rishabh Pant-led Indian team to bounce back in Cuttack on Sunday (June 12).
"I think this match is going to be crucial. India will definitely bounce back, they are a quality side. We don't expect anything less."
"I think every single game till Bangalore will be very, very tough. Obviously it was a great win the other night, we can take a lot of confidence from that, but it's a brand new venue, new conditions, so we need to adapt and start work."
According to Parnell, the second T20I will also be a high-scoring affair and bowlers will find it difficult to combat the batters.
"The conditions here probably favour run-scoring more. It is just about what we are going to get on that particular day. It did swing around a little bit so maybe we can use that to our advantage but it's difficult to assess."
"The side strip was pretty green and with overhead conditions, and swung around a bit. Maybe for the seamers, there will be a little bit with the new ball. But the actual wicket, we have to see how it is on the match day," Parnell said.
(With PTI inputs)
