India’s upcoming tour of South Africa has cricket enthusiasts buzzing with anticipation. As the tour encompasses T20Is, ODIs, and Tests, all eyes are on the Test series, offering India a chance to secure their first-ever Test series victory in South Africa.
Despite India’s notable performances in the last two Test series against South Africa, Jacques Kallis, the legendary Proteas all-rounder, issues a cautionary note. He acknowledges India as a strong team but emphasizes that South Africa, especially at home, remains a formidable opponent.
“This is a good Indian team but South Africa is tough to beat in South Africa. Centurion will probably suit South Africa and Newlands will probably suit India. It will be a good series and it will come down to one or two sessions that one team might play better than the other. It would be a closely-fought contest,” warns Kallis.
The first Test is scheduled to commence on Boxing Day in Centurion, followed by the second Test on January 3 in Cape Town.
In a broader context, Kallis shares insights on the diminishing breed of all-rounders in cricket. He attributes this scarcity to the overwhelming schedule and format-specific focus, highlighting the challenges faced in developing multi-skilled cricketers.