SA vs IND 2018: Positive Mindset Required to Win in South Africa - Gautam Gambhir

Opening batsman Gautam Gambhir, who saw his exclusion following the dip in his form in the past, has a great belief in attacking cricket while remarking the visiting side-led by Virat Kohli has the challenge to tackle while playing at the overseas venues after enjoying the remarkable run in the backyard.

“The players should go with the mindset that they can win the series. If you enter with a scared attitude, then you’ll end up playing safe cricket and that will not hand you a win,” Gambhir told India TV.

Interestingly, Gambhir observed the experienced campaigners in the Indian squad would be a crucial role in shaping up things in the African continent, as first of the three-match Test series will be beginning from January 5, 2018, in Cape Town.

“Every Indian captain and player will do well at home; the biggest challenge is to perform well away. Now it’s time to deliver and the players have the experience to face the South African team. It’s more about the results than the process,” Gambhir said.

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Moreover, Gambhir stated that India has a phenomenal home record, but the biggest challenge is posed by the overseas conditions which subsequently includes Australia and England

“In the past two and a half years, Team India has done well, though the biggest challenge will arise when they travel to South Africa, England, and Australia,” Gambhir explained.

The 36-year-old batsman Gambhir has been consistent with the bat, before the fate had something else in the store for the aggressive batsman, however, confident to see his national side India delivering goods on the foreign tours.

On the other side, India is yet to win the Test series in South Africa, and Gambhir reiterated the timid approach wouldn’t win matches for the respective teams while adding the attacking ploy would play a crucial role in the impending gruelling series.

“If you’re scared of losing, then you will never win. By playing safe cricket, one would never win but by going in with an attacking mindset will offer you results,” Gambhir further added.

Apart from reaching the summit, Gambhir feels Indian team has to give their best like they did at home in a bid to excel in the overseas conditions which according to him would take a lot to rely on.

“The next one year will be crucial for the Indian side. The progress has been evident in the home season, but they have to perform the same outside as well,” Gambhir added.

As of now, the prominent figure in the Delhi’s line for the Ranji Trophy 2017-18 season which further would see Gambhir giving his best against highly impressive Vidarbha.

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Since the captaincy was handed over to Virat Kohli, Team India has further comfortably made it to the number one spot in the ICC Test rankings before breaking the slew of records with the terrific winning rate at home by thrashing the top-notch teams like Australia, England and New Zealand since past one-year.

“I am sure that Kohli knows how an aggressive mindset can help in the series. Taking four batsmen, one all-rounder and four bowlers can contribute to an attacking and aggressive mindset that can help you take 20 wickets,” Gambhir concluded.

Gambhir featured in 58 Tests for India in which he amassed 4,154 runs at an average of 41.95. He has nine hundred and 22 fifties under his belt in 104 innings after making his international debut in April 2003 against Bangladesh in Dhaka.