Virat will score a lot of runs in South Africa, predicts Virender Sehwag

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag feels team India will have a great time in South Africa this season. He also feels that the Indian skipper Virat Kohli will lead the team from the front on the big tour. In the last couple of seasons, the Indian team has dominated the oppositions on the home soil. Now, they embark on a journey where they will face tough overseas series in the coming season.

Sehwag, as per the quotes in News Republic, admitted that the year of 2018 will start with a big challenge for the Indian team. He suggested Kohli to have a clear mind on the tour. He mentioned that the team has the potential to excel in the South African conditions. It all depends on how the team manages its resources. He pointed out that if the bowlers succeed in executing their plans, then the team should find it easy on the tour.

“I am sure Virat Kohli will lead from the front. He will score a lot of runs. The year 2018 is starting with a big challenge. The tour of South Africa will be India and Virat Kohli’s biggest challenge this year. If Virat manages to win the series, he will be the first Indian captain to do so,” quoted Virender Sehwag.

“As a captain, you need to have a clear strategy in place in South Africa… how to get rid of their batsmen, how to handle their fast bowlers. It is important to implement them on the field. This team has the ability to implement the strategies well. All the individuals are capable of handling their responsibilities. I think if the bowlers are able to implement their plans against the South African batsmen, India will win the series,” Sehwag added further.

On the biggest challenge

Speaking further on the same note, Virender Sehwag remarked that the form of the Indian batsmen will also be the key in South Africa. He feels that if the batsmen can manage to match up to the levels of South African scores, then their bowlers will get under pressure. However, Virender Sehwag does not rate this series as the toughest one. He feels that conquering Australia in their home conditions will be the biggest challenge for the Indian team.

“The form of the batsmen will be very important in South Africa. If your batsmen can match the South African batsmen in first innings then the pressure will be on them because they are playing at home. So, Kohli and the boys have to match South Africa’s first innings total. The biggest challenge for Team India this year will be Down Under. Australia have recently won the Ashes and they have the best bowling attack. Australia is also a challenging place to play cricket,” mentioned the former Indian cricketer.

On challenges for Virat Kohli

While Australia is likely to be India’s toughest ask in the overseas conditions, Virender Sehwag feels that doing well in England will be the toughest task for skipper Virat Kohli. He pointed out that the failures Kohli had in 2014 has left deep imprints on his career. He would want to better those numbers and perform as the captain this time around.

“As a batsman, Virat will face his biggest challenge in England and I think he is also looking forward to it. I am sure he will perform better this time. 2014 was his first tour to England and he was very young that time… he might not have been completely aware of the conditions there. But this time, he will go there as a player and as a captain. He will have that confidence in himself this time around. Before touring England, he will play in South Africa and in the IPL, so he will be more confident,” he conceded.

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