Graeme Smith warns Virat Kohli and Co. ahead of South Africa tour

The former legendary cricketer Graeme Smith feels India will be tested with pace during their tour to South Africa in January next year. The world number 1 side in the longest format of the game is all set to play their first major series abroad in the last couple of years. Virat Kohli has been rested for the tour as India continue to prepare for the toughest tour in recent times. However, Smith opines that the performance of the fast bowlers from India will determine the result of the much-awaited series.

Team India owned the grand home season and won all the Test series by defeating every opponent that came their way. Recently they won the three-match series against Sri Lanka by 1-0 thereby equalling the record of Australia by winning nine series consecutively in whites. They have to create history by beating Proteas in their own den to break that record. South Africa too is bracing themselves for the big series as their premier players like AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel have got fit just in time.

Smith excited for the series

Graeme Smith himself is excited for the Test series to begin which will commence on January 5. He feels that the famous Indian batting line-up will be tested by the fierce bowling attack of South Africa. The most successful captain of the country also believed that Indian fast bowlers would be key to their success against the Proteas and will decide the result of the series eventually.

“The pace and skills of our bowlers here will be the real test for them. It will be really interesting. India’s own pace attack will also have to do well in order for them to have success here,” Smith was quoted as saying by Sport24. India are travelling to South Africa with the best bowling attack ever which is expected to pick 20 wickets to win the game. The likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma have come a long way in their careers and are experienced now. Even Jasprit Bumrah has been picked and will be crucial to the team during the tour.