Dale Steyn will be itching to play Test cricket: Sunil Gavaskar

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar feels that the upcoming India tour of South Africa will be a different ball game altogether for the Virat Kohli-led side. Team India has had a dream run across the three formats of the game. In the Test cricket, they have been phenomenal in particular. However, many pundits have felt that they are home track bullies.

Amidst this scenario, the importance of the South Africa tour becomes all the way more important. In a recent column for Sportstar, Sunil Gavaskar noted that the Proteas will be bolstered by the return of Dale Steyn. Steyn is revered as one of the best fast bowlers in the world. He would certainly want to leave an imprint on the Indian series to make a memorable comeback.

“Dale Steyn will be itching to play Test cricket after a long lay-off due to injury. Whether he will be able to regain his pace is something only time will tell, but even if he bowls at reduced speed his late moving out-swingers will not be easy for the Indian batsmen to negotiate. There is also Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel to contend with, and that’s going to be much more difficult than facing just Suranga Lakmal,” wrote Sunil Gavaskar.

On Virat Kohli

While Steyn is set to be a key player for South Africa, it will Virat Kohli who would hold the aces for the Indian team. However, Kohli will be out of action until the South Africa commences now. This is exactly what Sunil Gavaskar cited as a concern for the Indian side. He, however, mentioned that Kohli is capable of regaining form and conquering fatigue.

“The other worry will be the fact that Virat Kohli will be away from top class cricket until January 5. Luckily, he has age on his side and so getting back the physical contours for international cricket won’t be too tough,” mentioned Gavaskar.

On the bigger picture

Commenting on the bigger picture that the Indian team should see, Sunil Gavaskar noted that the year 2018 could be the turnaround one for them. He feels that the team is strong enough to achieve what they have not achieved thus far. And if they manage to do that, they will no longer have to worry about the bouncy tracks while hosting matches at home.

“2018 could well be the year when the Indian team does what it has never done before — win a series in South Africa, and later in Australia. Hopefully, the scheduling by then will be such that India will be in Australia well in advance and play proper first class matches. They will then not have to ask for pitches like the one they had at the Eden Gardens,” conceded the former Indian cricketer.