'It's the bounce' - Faf du Plessis highlights India's major weakness in South Africa

Team India are taking on South Africa in the first Test of the two-match series on Tuesday, December 26 at SuperSport Park, Centurion. South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss and invited India to bat first. Notably, India have never won a Test series in South Africa in eight attempts and will be desperate to do so in the ongoing series.

Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, under whose leadership the Proteas beat India by 2-1 in 2017-18 recently revealed the reason behind India’s series win drought in the rainbow nation. Highlighting India’s woes in South Africa, Du Plessis stated that their batters are not used to the extra bounce in the nation.

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"It's the bounce. There is almost one full hand of extra bounce here, compared to what they usually face in India. They are used to hitting the ball on the up there, but with the bounce on offer and lateral movement, there is additional risk at play if you haven't done it before and are not used to the lift. The key to doing well in South Africa is to leave well and be there for a long period," Faf told The Indian Express.

The 39-year-old further recalled the 2017-18 series between the two teams and said that the key to be successful in South Africa is being patient and leaving the ball well.

You have got to be patient and respect the conditions: Du Plessis

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"I remember the 2018 series, where they ran us close. They left the ball really well then and that is the key to be a successful Test side in South Africa. You have got to be patient and respect the conditions at all times. You need to have a good plan as to how you play the short balls with the extra bounce and how well you leave them,” he added.

Notably, India have drawn just one series in South Africa in 2011 when the MS Dhoni-led side finished the three-match series with a 1-1 scoreline. Hence, the Rohit Sharma-led side will be eager to finally conquer their final frontier in the upcoming series.