IND vs SA: Shukri Conrad Provides Update On Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi's Availability For 1st Test

South Africa coach Shukri Conrad is optimistic about the team playing an all-pace attack in the first Test against Australia. He also shared a fitness update about Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, saying that they are hopeful of having all 15 players.

The Test between India and South Africa is just two sleeps away from now. The match will take place on 26th December at SuperSport Park in Centurion. It will be a great challenge for both teams as both of them have exciting players in the ranks.

Heading into the game, South Africa have some injury concerns. Two of their premier pacers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi are not 100% fit and it will be a huge blow for the team if they miss the game. It will make Proteas less favorites to win the game.

Kagiso Rabada is nursing a heel injury and Lungi Ngidi is down with an ankle injury. However, both have joined the team and are undergoing practice sessions and South Africa are hopeful that the duo will be fit for the game.

Shukri Conrad opened up about the fitness of Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, saying that they have not called anybody replacement as the pacers are expected to be fit. Speaking to reporters, he explained:

“They are both here with us and that means they are available for selection as things stand. We have not called anybody in as a replacement and hopefully come the morning of the match we have 15 fit players to select from.”

South Africa also will be having exciting Gerald Coetzee in the team and he is expected to huge role for the team. Shukri Conard believes that the youngster is a baby in Test cricket.

He highlighted the aggression Gerald Coetzee brings in and added that he can be the leader of the bowling attack in the next years. He added:

“He’s still a baby in Test cricket. He’s been phenomenal every time he’s stepped onto the field, whether it be with the white ball in his hand or the red one. This is just going to be another step. He brings aggression, he brings something that we’ve always prided ourselves on as South Africans, which is pace.

“He brings all of those elements and hopefully through the experience he builds in the (T20) leagues and playing for South Africa with the white and red ball, in a couple of years’ time he can be leading our bowling attack.”

IND vs SA: You go 1-0 down and you can’t win the series – South Africa coach Shukri Conrad

South Africa coach Shukri Conard added that they will do everything to maintain Proteas’ record of the win over India in Tests. He pointed out that matchups will be there and admitted that even one loss can put them down. He explained:

“If it was possible to make this even bigger, then the fact that India have never won here does that. We certainly want to hold on to that proud record and make sure that that doesn’t happen.

“There are so many matchups that this series hinges on. It’s two Tests, so it’s a high pressured one. You go 1-0 down and you can’t win the series. You go 1-0 up, you can’t lose. It’ going to be like a heavyweight boxing bout.”

India are yet to win Test series in South Africa. It remains to be seen how will they go about this time around.