SA vs IND 2018: Virat Kohli & Co. Get Themselves Battle-Ready On Green Pitches Of Western Province Cricket Club

After conquering almost all the major teams at home in the last couple of years, team India – led by Virat Kohli – is looking to hit the ground running when they take on South Africa in the first Test starting on January 5 in Capetown.

India’s record in the rainbow nation has been nothing short of a disaster. Since 1992 when India first toured the African country, the visitors have won just two of the 17 Tests they have played in South Africa. Of the six-Test series in South Africa, the Proteas have won five with a 1-1 drawback in the 2010-11 season being India’s best return.

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However, expectations are sky-high from the Virat Kohli-led team which has registered a record nine consecutive series wins and is yet to lose a series under their skipper. And in a bid to get themselves ready for the challenging series and live up to the expectations, team India begins practice session at the Western Province Cricket Club (WPCC).

Located next to the Gary Kirsten Oval, it provides the perfect settings for the Indians. The groundsmen of WPCC have prepared three wickets with each pitch having a good amount of grass on it.

“The wickets here will have a lot of carry and bounce. They have specially prepared after receiving the instruction from the Indian team management,” supervisor John Martin was quoted as saying by Xtratime.

Meanwhile, Kohli is well aware of the challenges awaiting his team in South Africa but is confident of putting up a good show.

“We come to South Africa knowing that the wickets are going to be different from back home. Even the last time when we’ve played there was talk about we getting bounced out and we’re going to struggle against the short ball. But I think our batsmen stood up really nicely. If you remember, clearly on Day 1 of the Jo’burg Test we put up a great fight, we handled their bowlers pretty well and we made them work hard. We almost won that Test, it ended up being a draw. So, we are prepared as to what we’re going to get here and we’re not under any delusions as to what we’re going to be presented with, come fifth of January,” Kohli said on Saturday (December 30).

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