Former South African cricketer Dr. Ali Bacher feels that Team India is the favorite to win the first two Tests against the Proteas of the three-match series because they have the best pace attack he has seen in the past 30 years.
The Indian pace battery of late has drawn some rich praises from many fans and pundits across the globe. It’s fair to say that the fast bowlers were the main architect behind Indian victories in overseas conditions over the past few years.
After having success in Australia and England, Team India will play the three-Test series in South Africa, a country where they have never won a test series.
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There’s no doubt that the pacers will have to play a huge role if Team India is looking to script history as they are one of the main reasons behind the Virat Kohli-led side’s success in overseas conditions.
The first Test between South Africa and India will be played on the 26th at SuperSport Park, Centurion. While the second Test between South Africa and India will be played at Johannesburg from January 3 to 7 followed by the final Test, which will take place in Cape Town from January 11 to 15.
Ahead of the first Test match, former South African skipper Ali Bacher highlighted that the venues of the first two Test matches favor fast bowlers.
“The first two Tests are to be played in Centurion, which is nearly 5000 feet above sea level, and the Wanderers, Johannesburg which is nearly 6000 feet above sea level. “The rarefied atmosphere at these two Test grounds plus the fast bouncy pitches at the Wanderers and SuperSport Park generally favor fast bowlers,” Ali Bacher told News 18.
Keeping the conditions in mind, Bacher said that the current India team has the best pace attack he has seen in the past 30 years and that is why the visitors will start as favorites in the first two Tests.
“The current Indian team has the best pace attack I have seen in the past thirty years. Therefore, India will start as favorites for the first two Test matches,” he said.
(PTI Inputs)
