Cheteshwar Pujara backs pacers to lead India to win in South Africa
India(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
The India tour of South Africa is set to get underway on December 26 in Centurion. This is a big series for India as they have never won a series in the country. However, the team has scripted history in the last few years. They won twin series in Australia and took a 2-1 lead in the five-match series against England before the final game was postponed for 2022.
South Africa remains India’s final frontier. The team did well on the last tour where they came close to winning the series but eventually lost 2-1. However, this remains their best opportunity. South Africa are going through a massive slump and are nowhere near the quality of the teams of the past. Given India’s form and strength, this is a great opportunity for them to end their series drought.
India batter Cheteshwar Pujara also feels India have a great chance of winning a series in South Africa this time around. “I am sure there is enough time for us to prepare and guys are looking forward to this series. This is the best opportunity for us to win our first series in South Africa. So all of us are looking forward to it,” Pujara was quoted by India today.
India’s success overseas can be linked to the evolvement of the pace bowling unit. India have one of the best pace attacks in the world that has rattled some of the strongest batting lineups. Pujara is optimistic that the pacers can continue their dream run in South Africa and lead the team to a win.
“Our fast bowlers are our strength and I hope that they will be able to utilise these conditions and give us 20 wickets in every Test match. They have been the difference between the two sides whenever we have played abroad,” Pujara added.
“If you look at the Australia series, even if you look at the England series, we have done exceptionally well as a bowling unit and I am sure that will be the case even in South Africa,” said the veteran of 92 Tests and 6589 runs.
Meanwhile, Pujara himself will be looking to brush off the lean patch and get some runs for the team in this crucial series.
