India up for challenge against SA: Shastri

Cape Town, December 30

The current Indian team has the experience and bench strength to challenge the might of South Africa in the Test series starting January 5, India coach Ravi Shastri said.

Shastri said adaptability to foreign conditions will be the key to success for the visitors. “All I can say is the team is up for the challenge. If you asked me four years ago, I would have said no. But this team has gained in experience,” said Shastri.

“The beauty of this team is it does not matter which opposition it is playing. We look at the pitch and adapt to those conditions. You have got bench strength in your fast bowling department which is the key to taking 20 wickets,” he added.

Asked whether India’s fast bowling strength will give the curators second thoughts about preparing spicy pitches, Shastri said, “For us every game is a home game. Even this is a home game for us at the Newlands. You see the pitch, you adapt. No excuses, no complaints. Both the teams have to play on that surface. Tomorrow you go to England and it might be seaming all over the place. You come to India, it might be turning. If you want to be rated as a good side, you adapt to the conditions. It’s as simple as that. Leave all the other crap aside and try and compete in the conditions that are on offer.” 

Shastri said the Indian players are itching to have a go and prove their worth. “A lot of our boys want job satisfaction. Job satisfaction is when you go outside and score runs, take wickets. So there’s a challenge. They want that Test match to start as soon as possible,” he said.

“South Africa have always been a good all-round side. I have mentioned that in the last two years that no team has travelled well. India has started doing that. If you look in the past, it’s always been South Africa, ahead of any other team. It was a team that was in transition, but South Africa have always had good bench strength. The thing now, though, is this will be a good contest.” 

Morris in squad

All-rounder Chris Morris has been added to the South African squad for the first Test. Morris recovered from a groin injury and has replaced fast bowler Duanne Olivier in the 15-man squad. Morris did not play in the four-day Test against Zimbabwe on December 26. The Proteas will begin their preparations on January 2. — Agencies

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