South African captain Temba Bavuma has put his weight behind the spin battery to deliver the goods in the two-match Test series against India. The Proteas have spinners like Keshav Maharaj, Senthuran Muthuswamy and Simon Harmer for the two Tests in India. The trio had picked 33 wickets in two Test matches against Pakistan recently and would want to carry the same show.
India were stunned by New Zealand by 3-0 in 2024 and South Africa will take inspiration from that. South Africa are the World Test champions and they would look to come up with a collective performance in difficult Indian conditions.
“Bowling has always been a strength of ours as a team. Now, we’re probably even better poised with those spin resources. We have Tristan Stubbs as well, if we do need another off-spinner, he can come in with something different,” said Bavuma while talking to the reporters.
“You need the bowlers to be able to take 20 wickets, right? I think now we’re quite confident in our ability and if the conditions are saying that spin is the threat, then at least we have the resources.”
South Africa last won a Test series on the Indian soil 35 years ago in 1990 and they would look to bag a series win after a long time.
“I think as a South African team, I don’t think we’ve won a Test series here in India for a long time. So, I think there’s a massive opportunity there and I think there’s a big target on our backs as a South African Test team.
“I think there’s expectation on us (as world champions),” said Bavuma.
Bavuma admitted it is always challenging to play in the Indian conditions and said the young Indian players are filling in the big shoes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin.
“It’s always tough playing in India. You’ve seen the young talent that has come in. The guys come in, they are all filling the boots. It is a big task,” Bavuma said.
“Those guys you mentioned have performed over a number of years for India, and they’ve put India on the map of where they are. But yeah, we’ll prepare as well as we can, understand the challenges that we’ll find here, and strive to put our best foot forward,” Bavuma said.
The opening Test match will be played from 14 November onwards at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
