Graeme Smith feels South Africa's future generation is not yet ready

Former South Africa skipper Graeme Smith recently admitted that future stars are not yet ready. Further, Smith backed his statement citing India’s sheer dominance in the ongoing One-day International series.

Meanwhile, India leads the six-match ODI series 3-0.

However, India is on the verge of winning their first-ever series in the Rainbow Nation. Skipper Virat Kohli along with wrist spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav has done the bulk of the job for India.

South Africa’s next-gen not ready, Graeme Smith:

Smith feels India as the deserving side has done tremendously well in the series.

‘While South Africa have lost three key players (AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, and Quinton de Kock) to injuries but it also showed that next generation of South African cricketers is not quite ready to take it on,” Smith said.

Further, Smith believes Cricket South Africa needs to look into this.

“I think Cricket South Africa needs to think how they would want to blood and develop the youngsters. I am extremely disappointed with their performance. In addition, one must give credit to India as they have played outstanding cricket,” added Smith.

According to Smith, this series has shown the amount of work young cricketers needs to do to match the international standards.

“I think SA cricket will have to really plan as to how they are looking to blood youngsters. Maybe keep them in the system (academy or domestic cricket) a bit longer,” Smith pointed.

SA batting not good:

South African has found it tough to tackle the wrist spin of Kuldeep and Chahal. As a result, the middle-order collapsed in all the matches.

“They haven’t simply batted well enough. There wasn’t may be enough experience in the middle-order but still, there was JP Duminy and David Miller who have played a lot of international cricket and quality spin bowling in the IPL.

“But these are two exciting wrist-spinners, who controlled every game. South Africa simply have not yet found out a way to progress in those middle overs where they (Chahal-Kuldeep) have taken control of the game. That’s why India dominated,” Smith mentioned.

Smith applauded India’s wrist spinners:

Smith showered heaps of praise on Kuldeep and Chahal. Further, he added that duo has made spin bowling interesting again.

“With no Murali or Warne now, it is great for the game that Chahal and Kuldeep have come in. There was no mystery spinner in the game as such and their current performances have lifted spirits and made it exciting,” Smith said.

India missed Rahane in the Test series:

Smith further feels omission of Ajinkya Rahane proved to be critical for India during the Test series.

“I would look at India’s team selection. Rahane should have played from start. India needed to play with an extra batter and the extra bowler they played was not required.

“Centurion was a very flat deck and India would be disappointed that they lost that Test series,” Smith concluded.

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