Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are not there but the Indian fighting spirit will still be there – Temba Bavuma

 

South African captain Temba Bavuma believes the Indian fighting spirit will still be there despite the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The talismanic duo has been rested for the upcoming five-match series against the Proteas. Furthermore, India’s gun fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has also been rested for the series against the visitors.

In fact, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah didn’t have the best of Tata IPL for their respective teams in the tournament. However, despite the absence of these three big players, India still has a potent squad as the youngsters who impressed in the IPL, have got their opportunities in the squad.

India will be playing in their own conditions and KL Rahul, who will be leading in place of Rohit Sharma, will look to get the best out of his players.

Speaking ahead of the T20I series against India, Bavuma said: “It’s obviously a new-look Indian side. A lot of guys who have done well in the recent IPL have been given opportunities. For us, as a team, we wouldn’t be looking at it (the series) any differently. We don’t really see it as taking on a ‘B’ side. The competitiveness will be there.”

“It’s guys who play cricket hard, who play very competitively. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are not there but the Indian fighting spirit will still be there. We don’t expect it to be easy for us. We still expect it to be tough, and we’ll be approaching it (the series) in that manner.”

On the other hand, Bavuma feels it will be a challenge for his team to face spinners like Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. Both of these spinners had a fantastic IPL as Kuldeep Yadav took 21 wickets in 14 matches for Delhi Capitals whereas Yuzvendra Chahal bagged the Purple Cap as he scalped 27 wickets in 17 matches for runners-up Rajasthan Royals.

“It will be a challenge. We’ve played against them (Kuldeep and Chahal) a couple of times, and one hopes that this time we have a better understanding. The guys are individually speaking about them. They will have their individual ways of approaching spin and how they can be successful against the pair.

“For the younger guys, it will be important how they receive the knowledge that the seniors share. But, the way we have played slow bowling over the last 18 months or so, as a group, it gives us a lot of confidence and self-belief that we can dominate spin bowling this time (in India).”

The first T20I between India and South Africa will be played at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on June 9.