Shukri Conrad, the head coach of South Africa, stated that his team is prepared to challenge India in the two-match Test series, which begins at Kolkata’s famed Eden Gardens on Friday, November 14.
Conrad is aware that the Test series, which will end in Guwahati, would heavily rely on spinners. Senuran Muthusamy, Simon Harmer, and Keshav Maharaj, in his opinion, make a stronger spin-bowling attack than the teams that have previously visited India from the Rainbow Nation.
Does having talented spinners on your team make the competition more interesting overall? Yes, I believe it greatly boosts our confidence. Conrad stated at a press conference on Wednesday, “We don’t claim that we didn’t have good spinners in the past, but we definitely believe that Keshav, Simon, and Sen are a better group of spinners now.”
It makes us feel very confident that we have the weapons to clearly confront India in that area as well, provided the circumstances are favourable. We’re quietly optimistic that we can create our own history in India and here in Eden Gardens,” Conrad remarked.
“I don’t believe a greater challenge has ever existed.” Shukri Conrad perspective on India
Recently, the Proteas and Pakistan drew a Test series of two matches, 1-1. Lahore and Rawalpindi hosted the two games. Shukri Conrad did concede, though, that playing India at home will provide a completely new set of difficulties.
“Look India, tough challenge anyway in the world, and when you come to an iconic venue like Eden Gardens, it just makes it even tougher,” Shukri Conrad stated.
“This will be our biggest challenge, and I don’t think you can compare India to the calibre of the teams we played against (Pakistan).” I don’t believe I’ve faced a greater test (than this) in my 20th match, Shukri Conrad continued.
Fans of South Africa will be relieved that Temba Bavuma, their captain, has recovered well from his injury-related absence from the Pakistan Tests. He got a half-century in the second innings of the second unofficial Test match against India A. In a three-match Test series against India last year, South Africa will be looking to build on New Zealand’s performance, which saw the Kiwis thrash the Asian powerhouses 3-0.
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