Ahead of the two-match Test series against South Africa, former cricketer Sourav Ganguly said that playing against Team India at their home will be difficult for the visitors.
While speaking on JioStar, Ganguly said that India is a very strong team in the subcontinent and also in overseas conditions. Considering that South Africa is a good team, the former cricketer is also expecting it to turn out to be a high-quality contest.
“The first Test starts in Kolkata in a few days, and it`s going to be a tough tour for South Africa. Playing against India in India is never easy. India is a very strong side in the subcontinent, and they are a strong team even overseas these days,” he said.
“I`m really looking forward to the Test at Eden Gardens. South Africa is a good side, so it should be a high-quality contest,” added the 53-year-old former cricketer.
Currently, Team India is placed in the third spot on the WTC points table. The side also managed to draw the away series in England before emerging victorious against the West Indies at home earlier in the cycle.
On the other hand, the Proteas began their title defence by securing a 1-1 draw in an away Test series against Pakistan.
The Test series will also mark Rishabh Pant`s first international appearance since the conclusion of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
The first Test match between India and South Africa has been scheduled to be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata from November 14. The second game will be played from November 22 at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Guwahati.
IND vs SA: Full Squads
India’s Test squad: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK) (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep.
South Africa squad for India tour: Temba Bavuma (C), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs and Kyle Verreynne.
(With ANI Inputs)