Conditions testing but India ready for South Africa challenge: Ravi Shastri

Before leaving for the bilateral series in South Africa, team India’s head coach, Ravi Shastri on Wednesday, stated it’s going to be a tough tour for the number one-ranked Virat Kohli-led Test side. He, however, feels the boys are ready for the gruelling challenge on African soil with seniors opener to be played on January 5 in the Cape Town.

“The boys are really looking forward to it, we know it is going to be a challenge,” Shastri told journalists in Mumbai.

The 55-year-old Mumbai-based Shastri said such daunting tasks are supposed to bring best out of the hard working players as the team is lined up with senior campaigners.

“We all know how tough a tour South Africa is but that’s the beauty of their profession,” Shastri maintained.

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The former Indian cricketer Shastri, who succeeded Anil Kumble further reiterated his wards are enjoying the challenges being thrown in their ways and expect the South Africa tour something special for the side which has knitted well as a unit in the recent past.

“(Players) wanting challenges and embracing it (opportunity),” Shastri added.

While talking about the inclusion of the death-overs specialist Jasprit Bumrah, who has been included in the Test squad, Shastri feels it’s an exciting addition in the team and the former has the potential to spring a surprise or so in the tradition format.

“I think [Jasprit] Bumrah is very exciting. He has shown how good he is in ODIs and T20Is. He has shown he’s one of the best in the world and has been acknowledged by opponents,” Shastri said on Bumrah.

Shastri stated the 23-year-old wily customer Bumrah is in good stead to make the five-day format.

“I think his confidence level is high and it is a good time to get him in,” Shastri asserted.

(Read Further: Test Defeat in Sri Lanka Opened Everyone’s Eyes: Ravi Shastri)

However, Shastri reminisced about India’s Australia tour under the leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni while adding the cricketers did well which saw hosts winning the series 2-1.

“We toured Australia three years ago and we did a pretty good job. We have done well in England,” Shastri explained.

Shastri, who served as the Team Director of India in the past recalled the surfaces way back in 2015 in Sri Lankan had been of great help for the bowlers.

“Sri Lanka I thought in 2015 had some great tracks especially the last two Tests matches where the seamed and swing,” Shastri concluded.

So, the preparation has been proper, and these boys have been on the road together for the last four-five years pretty much the same team, and the nucleus has been the same, and that should help the long way.