India tour of South Africa: Former South Africa pacer Makhaya Ntini has made a bold prediction and said that India will fail for the eighth time to win a Test series in South Africa. Ntini, who played 101 Test matches and took 390 wickets for the Proteas, has stated that the home conditions will help the Dean Elgar-led team and that the “settled” South Africa bowling attack will “put India under pressure”. Follow India tour of South Africa Live on InsideSport.IN.
India tour of South Africa: Makhaya Ntini makes bold prediction, says ‘India have never won here and I don’t think that will change’
The 44-year-old has added that the likes of Elgar, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen and Quinton de Kock are capable of leaving a big impact on the Test series which kicks off from December 26 in Centurion.
“There’s nothing better than playing at home in familiar surroundings, especially against a very good India team,” Ntini told CSA.
“We have the likes of (captain) Dean Elgar and Temba Bavuma, who have the ability to dig in and score big runs and I also like the way that Rassie (van der Dussen) has come in and grown in that team. Then we also have a guy like Quinny(de Kock), who we know will not hold back. He will play his natural game.
“Then when it comes to our bowling attack, we have a settled unit and one that can definitely put India under pressure. We still have that stranglehold over them because they’ve never won here and I don’t think that will change. It will mean a lot if we can win, but I’m hoping to see some good cricket,” he added.
Ntini, who featured in the 2001 and 2006/07 home series against India, has also admitted that India have a “very good bowling attack this time around” but the home advantage will give South Africa the edge.
“India have a very good bowling attack this time around, but the Proteas know the South African conditions better. This for me will be key. We have to back ourselves because we have that home advantage. Our players know the wickets very well and that will give us the edge.”
Further, Allan Donald, the South Africa legend with 330 wickets to his name in 72 Tests, has expressed concern on “young” batting line-up of the hosts. He has backed South Africa pacer to do the job, but the batting department will hold the key according to the former pacer.
“Both teams line up really well, both have strong bowling line-ups and that will mean the batting on both sides will be tested,” he said. “Our batting has lost some key players in the last couple of seasons. There’s no hiding from the fact that it’s a young line-up and they will be tested by the Indian attack.
“For me that is where the series will be decided. In the last few seasons, we haven’t scored enough runs and that will be the challenge. If we can put the runs on the board, we undoubtedly have the bowlers who can take 20 wickets. There is a really good balance to our attack, and it will be interesting to watch.”
Allan Donald was also full of praises for Team India for winning Test series in Australia and proving their metal in overseas conditions. He has credited Virat Kohli for inspiring and making India a “quality side”.
“Kohli’s comments a few years ago were that you’ll never be classed as a great side if you don’t win away from home and that has been something he really worked towards. You saw them win in Australia and also reach the WTC (World Test Championship) Final.
“This is a quality Indian team that is here. I’m looking forward to it.”
India Squad for Test Series – India Tour of South Africa
Virat Kohli (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), R Ashwin, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed. Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Priyank Panchal.
Standby Players: Navdeep Saini, Saurabh Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Arzan Nagwaswalla.
India tour of South Africa: Makhaya Ntini makes bold prediction, says ‘India have never won here and I don’t think that will change’
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