Team India, fresh from their ODI series win in South Africa, is gearing up the much-anticipated two-match Test series against the same opponent which is set to get underway from December 26, Tuesday. The quest for their maiden Test series win in South Africa begins with the Boxing Day Test at Centurion's SuperSport Park, followed by the second Test at Newlands starting January 3.
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Meanwhile, India's head coach Rahul Dravid revealed Rohit Sharma-led Men in Blue's team combination for the Boxing Day Test.
“We have to see how is the wicket on the morning of the match. The best is to see what is the condition on the match. What is down and what is up on the day of the match. We will take a decision on that day. We have the balance. We can play 4 seamers or 3 seamers and 2 spinners. We have the depth to try out different combinations. The forecast changes consistently,” Dravid said in the pre-match press conference on December 24.
Under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, Indian team is determined to end their series losing streak in Tests on South African soil. Despite touring South Africa since the 1992-93 season, the Indian team has yet to clinch a Test series win there.
Rohit, though he missed the chance to be among the few Indian captains to win the ODI World Cup, has the opportunity to forge his own legacy in South Africa.
Dravid also commented on KL Rahul's extended wicketkeeping session.
“It is an exciting challenge and opportunity for him. He can do something different. Ishan is not available and we had some keepers to choose from. We have discussed it with him. He is keen on giving it a go. He has not done it often, but he has done it in ODIs. That can take a lot out of your body. He has done a lot of keeping in the last 5-6 months. There might not be much spin bowling and that is why he can ease into his role. It is nice to have someone like KL and the options that he provides with us, especially his ability with the bat. He has kept well in ODIs,” Dravid added.
Over the past three decades and eight tours, six different captains have led India without achieving a series win in the Rainbow Nation. With a record of just four victories in 23 Tests, India's track record in South Africa has been modest.
On challenges in playing in South Africa, Dravid said," We have been coming here since 1992. We have been winning Tests. There have been some good performances from the players. We have not won a Test series. We had a chance to win a couple of Tests but it did not happen. We will get limited time in bouncing back. We will try to play well. We have played well in patches. This gives us confidence to win in these conditions. Our aim is to do well and win the series for the first time in South Africa.
“We have seen the wickets here give a lot of bounce and seam. There are result-oriented wickets. In one session, in one passage of play, if you do not play well, you go well behind. If you lose a session badly, it is difficult. You have to fightback in situations. The batting, which we need 30-50 extra runs, 20 wickets do fall. You have to make big runs. If you bat well, the team will win,” former India skipper further said.
On being asked whether South Africa employ tough conditions to bat, Dravid said,"Strategically, it has been a difficult place. It is not impossible to play here. One of the things, here the bounce is variable as compared to other places. Not much swing as compared to England. Not that pacy and bouncy in Australia. It can get uneven. It has been a challenge for India's batters over the years. We have got the quality and experience to do well."
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