The period of Sunil Gavaskar by no means travelled to South Africa for a Test collection. But he positive has watched Indian teams, underneath varied captains, and umpteen match-winners, journey to the Rainbow nation over greater than three a long time, solely to return empty handed. In eight Test collection away from house, India have by no means received in South Africa, and thus it stays because the nation’s “final frontier”. There was after all Australia on that checklist as properly, however underneath Virat Kohli after which Ajinkya Rahane, India conquered Down Under twice in two visits between 2018 and 2021. But will Gavaskar lastly see India taking down this closing frontier within the impending Test collection?

India are slated to play two Test matches towards South Africa following the three-match ODI collection, beginning with the Boxing Day sport on December 26 and the New Year’s Test beginning January 3.

The collection will see the return of captain Rohit Sharma, Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah for the primary time because the ODI World Cup closing loss final month in Ahmedabad. Ravichandran Ashwin may also be becoming a member of the squad, whereas head coach Rahul Dravid has taken an off from the continued ODI contest to shift his complete deal with the Test collection.

On Sunday, after India’s emphatic eight-wicket win towards South Africa within the opening ODI match of the competition, Gavaskar was requested if the Rohit-led aspect can land their maiden Test collection win in South Africa and the the previous India captain started his reply with a convincing sure. He defined that with the likes of Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada lacking from the collection, India could have the possibility to amass 40-plus totals comfy.

“Absolutely. Look at South Africa, they are without two of their best bowlers. No Nortje, no Rabada. Now this means that the Indian batting line-up can, if they play sensibly, they should be able to put up 400, 400-plus scores without too much of an issue. Yes, initially, it will be little bit tough while the ball is shinny red and with the bounce. But that’s what Test cricket is all about. That’s why you’ve got five days. They need to bat well. If they keep scoring 300 and 500, they will give their bowlers enough of an opportunity to be able to knock the South Africans in both the innings,” he stated in a dialog on Star Sports.

The legendary batter admitted that greater than the 2021 contest, it was in 2018 when India had their greatest likelihood of conquering South Africa, however the collection had ended 2-1 in favour of the hosts.

“I think this is probably the best opportunity. 2018 was where I thought they should be winning. They really should have won in 2018. They had the best lineup not so much two years ago, but 2018 was where they missed out on big time on winning the series,” he added.