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India made their first journey to South Africa in 1992. Since then, they’ve gone on seven extra visits, successful 4 Take a look at matches, however they haven’t received a sequence.Regardless of this, the Asian superpowers have received Take a look at sequence in England, Australia, and New Zealand.
“We (have) come shut a few instances and we’ve performed some good cricket right here… only a few crucial moments we’ve not been capable of, perhaps, recover from the road, get the 34-40-50 runs that you simply in all probability want to have the ability to… to compete right here,” Dravid informed Star Sports activities earlier than the beginning of the opening Take a look at at SuperSport Park.
The legendary batsman claimed that the best way the group bowled throughout the earlier go to, which befell two years in the past, will give them a whole lot of confidence. In that tour, India misplaced the three-match rubber after blowing a 1-0 lead.
“Having stated that, we checked out a whole lot of stuff and the best way we bowled, I believed we bowled rather well within the final sequence which supplies us a whole lot of confidence that we’ve the power to take 20 wickets right here with the type of assault that we’ve.”
Dravid added, “You want a bit little bit of luck as nicely in these situations, there are lot of performs and misses, you wish to be the one enjoying and lacking, and hopefully, the opposition edging those self same ones. I believe there’s a little little bit of luck concerned.
“However, so long as you do your abilities nicely and just be sure you are placing the ball in the precise space, as batting with a sure degree of self-discipline and persistence when it’s required, trying to capitalise when the ball will get a bit bit softer and you’re forward of the sport and recognising that you simply you’re by no means ‘in’ in these sorts of situations in South Africa…
“You would possibly really feel that you’re in when batting on 34-40, however actually, in the event you can convert that into a way more vital rating that makes a giant distinction.
“So little issues like that you want to get proper in opposition to a very good group like South Africa, very sturdy group in these situations, who know how one can play nicely right here. I hope that, over the course of the following two Take a look at matches, we can try this.”
Concerning seamer Prasidh Krishna, who made his Take a look at debut on Tuesday, Dravid was additionally questioned. He was described as a “promising prospect” by the pinnacle coach.
“Prasidh is a promising prospect, however we’ve to be sensible that that is his first Take a look at match. He has not had a whole lot of first-class cricket to fall again on due to various causes.
“However I hope he has sport and enjoys himself. It’s such a stunning second once we give out a brand new cap to somebody.”
After successful and drawing with the West Indies in June of this yr, the Rohit Sharma-led Indian group is now atop the World Take a look at Championship 2023-25 cycle factors desk.
Nonetheless, this Take a look at will function the hosts South Africa’s first WTC cycle marketing campaign opener.
India have performed 23 Exams in South Africa since 1996, nevertheless they’ve solely received 4 of them total, and by no means greater than as soon as in a sequence.
Although they have not received a sequence within the Rainbow Nation, India remains to be the third-most profitable aspect in South Africa, behind England and Australia.
(With PTI inputs)
