India will go in quest of history when they play hosts South Africa in two Tests beginning on Tuesday in Pretoria, trying to record their first series triumph in a nation where they have previously gone close only to fall agonizingly short.
South Africa has won seven of India’s eight trips since 1992, with one series tied in 2010/11, however six of those victories have been by a single point.
The visitors may suddenly believe they have never had a finer opportunity. This South African team lacks the experience and talent with bat and ball of previous generations, and their top six, in particular, may be vulnerable.
They will also face late fitness tests for crucial fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, who may be a handful on what is likely to be a lively Centurion Park surface in the first test, before the tour shifts to Newlands in Cape Town for the second test starting in January.
“If it was possible to make this even bigger, the fact that India have never won here does that,” South Africa coach Shukri Conrad said. “We absolutely want to keep that illustrious record.
“This series is dependent on so many matchups.” It’s two exams, so the stakes are huge. You lose the series after falling down 1-0. You can’t lose while you’re up 1-0. It’ll be like a heavyweight boxing match.”
India may be missing several injured players, but they remain a powerful team, with back-to-back series victories in Australia giving them confidence that they can scale this particular Everest.
Leading seamer Mohammed Shami is sidelined, while batter Ruturaj Gaikwad has a damaged finger. Virat Kohli returned home last week for personal reasons, but is set to return for the first test.
South Africa has not drawn a test at home since a rain-affected game against New Zealand in 2016, a run of 32 matches that has resulted in 24 victories and eight losses.
That is due to the consistent weather, the positive cricket they play, and the surfaces, which are among the most difficult in the world for batsmen, with swing, seam, and spin all on offer during the five days.
“The statistics will tell you that it is a difficult place to bat,” India coach Rahul Dravid told Star Sports. “Every batter will have a game plan for how they want to go, and as long as they are clear about it, commit to it, and practice toward it, that’s fine.”
“We do not expect everyone to play in the same manner.” We want people to be extremely clear about what works best for them and then be able to put it into action.”