Mumbai: As South Africa prepare for their two-Test series against India beginning in Kolkata, former captain Graeme Smith said the visitors’ top order must find a way to blunt Jasprit Bumrah’s lethal opening spells before India’s spinners come into play.
Speaking ahead of the series, the SA20 League Commissioner said both teams will be wary of losing early wickets to fast bowlers, as it could tilt the contest before spin even becomes a factor.
“I think it's never at the forefront of people's conversation when you play cricket in the subcontinent, but I think the South African team will definitely be preparing for how they're going to handle spin,” Smith said. “But getting off to a solid start, having a top three that can lay a platform for you — there's nothing worse than if you go two or three down and then the spinners come on and you're against the game already.”
“So countering Bumrah upfront is going to be a big thing, and (Kagiso) Rabada as well for India. They're world-class bowlers with world-class Test records,” Smith told the media at the SA20 India Day event.in Mumbai.
Smith, who led South Africa to a Test series win in India in 2000, said it would be particularly crucial for Kagiso Rabada to set the tone with the new ball. “This is a big challenge for KG...coming to the subcontinent. He's definitely the leader of the attack, and how he can set the tone with that new ball is going to be important for Temba (Bavuma) and the team,” Smith said.
He urged South Africa’s batting unit to step up in the first Test, noting that comebacks are tough in Indian conditions. “The fact that a lot of the players with the A-team games and obviously that Pakistan Test series have a bit of cricket in the subcontinent, which is always important. Your game needs to adapt, your thinking needs to adapt,” Smith said.
“I'm hoping that with the first Test in Kolkata, it's generally quite a good place to bat. You get good value for runs and it's a stadium that — especially if it's full — will really make the South Africans motivated to do well in,” he added.
Smith said South Africa’s spin duo of Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer could prove dangerous, but how the pacers handle reverse swing will be equally important.
BCCI asks Rohit and Kohli to participate in domestic matchesNew Delhi: India stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have reportedly been instructed to participate in domestic matches for their respective state teams to stay in the reckoning for ODI team. The duo are active only in ODIs, having retired from the shortest and longest formats, that is T20Is and Tests. With limited one-day internationals scheduled for now and the focus on the 20-over format as the T20 World Cup approaches quickly, Kohli and Rohit will need game time to stay in contention for a place in the squad for the ODI World Cup scheduled in 2027. The duo will most likely participate in the three-match ODI series against South Africa, scheduled to start from December 3, and will probably only be seen again in India colours in January 2026, when the Men in Blue host New Zealand for ODIs from the 11th of the month. Kohli and Rohit will have a month-long break in between, which is when the Vijay Hazare Trophy is set to be played. Kohli and Rohit last played the ODI series in Australia last month, where their unbeaten partnership in the third and final game helped the Men in Blue secure a nine-wicket win. |
