The Indian pace attack is the most challenging I've faced in my whole career: Keegan Petersen

South Africa batter Keegan Petersen didn’t mince words in saying that the Indian pace attack is the most challenging he’s ever faced in his career. In the third day’s play of the Cape Town Test, India took a slender, yet crucial 13-run read courtesy of their bowling unit. Jasprit Bumrah picked up a five-wicket haul and helped the visitors bowl the Proteas out for 210 in 76.3 overs.

While Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami picked up two wickets apiece, Shardul Thakur accounted for two scalps. The 28-year-old Petersen said that the batters can’t afford to drop their guard while facing the Indian pace contingent.

They are arguably one of the best¸ says Keegan Petersen

“It’s (the Indian pace attack) extremely challenging. It’s the most challenging I’ve had in my whole career. You have to be focused and, on your mark, all the time or else they will expose you,” Petersen was quoted as saying in the press conference.

“They test you in terms of scoring, there’s not much scoring opportunities. They have not given us much. They are arguably one of the best bowling attacks in the world. We knew that coming into the series, it’s been challenging, we just got to deal with it,” he stated.

Petersen was South Africa’s top-scorer in their first innings of the decider at the Newlands. The right-hander scored 72 off 166 with nine fours before Bumrah nipped him out. He came to bat after the Proteas lost their third wicket in the form of Keshav Maharaj.

Petersen didn’t get much support from the other batters, who failed to convert after getting starts. Maharaj, Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma scored in their 20s, but couldn’t carry on. Petersen was the eighth South African wicket to go down in the 65th over.

“I like batting in at number three, I’ve batted there for most of my career. In terms of losing early wickets, we have two high-quality opening batters, they’re just going through a rough time,” Petersen added.

Going into Day four, India are leading by 70 runs with eight wickets left in their fourth innings. Cheteshwar Pujara and skipper Virat Kohli are the overnight batters.