IND vs SA: Former England spinner Monty Panesar has made a bold prediction ahead of the Boxing Day Test between India and South Africa. The former spinner is of the opinion that Virat Kohli may lose his Test captaincy as well if he fails to score runs in the series.
The Indian team will lock horns against South Africa in the ‘Boxing Day’ Test match as the three-match Test series kick starts in Centurion. The Indian team is yet to win their first Test series in the ‘Rainbow Nation’.
IND vs SA: Monty Panesar’s big prediction ahead of Centurion Test, says ‘Kohli may lose Test captaincy as well if he does not score runs’
Before coming to South Africa Virat Kohli lost his ODI captaincy to Rohit Sharma and his form with the bat has not been the best as he has not scored a Test ton since November 2019. But according to former England left-arm spinner Monty Panesar all these will motivate the Indian Test captain.
“I think he will be very motivated because he knows that if he does not score a lot of runs in Test cricket then that position could be up for grabs as well. So, he is under pressure to perform but he needs to do well and actually get some wins and even India are winning and he does not score the runs that still is a positive for Virat Kohli because he knows how to get the best out of an individual.
So, he needs to put that aside now and think about how to win in South Africa which is far more important and that is what I think BCCI wants from him. He wants to get the best eleven out there to win this Test series,” expressed Panesar in a conversation with ANI.
IND vs SA: Monty Panesar’s big prediction ahead of Centurion Test, says ‘Kohli may lose Test captaincy as well if he does not score runs’
The English spinner also backed the Indian side to script history this time and reckoned this is India’s best chance to beat South Africa on their own turf.
“I think India have got a great chance. They seem like a favourite to win that series. They know how to win now away from India and that is to do with Ravi Shastri’s coaching philosophy. He really instilled that belief, the motivation to say guys any situation we are going to fight and if you are in a dominant position then we are going to keep our foot on the throat.
So, I think it is still there within this Indian team and this will be historic for Indian cricket for them to win their first series in South Africa and this is their best chance. They have got a stronger team. Their team is much stronger than the South Africans. I think India are firm favourites to win the series,” said Monty Panesar.
IND vs SA: Monty Panesar’s big prediction ahead of Centurion Test, says ‘Kohli may lose Test captaincy as well if he does not score runs’
The expectations to win a Test series outside the Asian sub-continent will be on India’s fast bowlers. Pacers like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav will be expected to deliver the goods once again. Bumrah, Ishant and Shami also toured last season in 2017/18 and managed to take 60 wickets in three Tests.
The former England cricketer said, “I think India’s fast bowling department has been the strongest it has been for a very long time. They have got a few options which is a great place to be”.
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