South Africa`s ICC World Test Championship (WTC) winning captain, Temba Bavuma, said that touring India is never easy.
India, under the leadership of Shubman Gill, will take on South Africa for the two-match Test series against South Africa, starting from November 14. The first match is scheduled to be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Speaking during the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards in Mumbai, Bavuma said that his side will draw inspiration from New Zealand`s triumph against India last year.
“Touring India is never an easy one. So, you know, I think looking at the way New Zealand went about their business, I think was inspiring in a lot of ways. You know, a lot of touring teams, a lot of away teams come to India and haven`t been successful,” he said.
“And that is the biggest of cricketing nations. I heard Kane Williamson (who could not play that NZ tour of India last year), he is going to be here. So I will definitely be asking him for tips on how they went about it,” added Bavuma.
The 35-year-old cricketer also said that after concluding Pakistan`s series, the Proteas will look at the India series as another big series.
“But look, I mean, that is going to be another big series for us as South Africa. The boys now, they will be going to Pakistan. So they will deal with that challenge. And straight after that, it`s India. And I think, like I said, for the guys who have been to India, we know how tough it is. But I think like any series, like any game, the opportunities are there, you know,” said the Cape Town-born cricketer.
After the Test series, India will lock horns with the Proteas for the white-ball series. The series will witness the two teams play three ODI matches and five T20I games against each other.
Currently, India is busy engaging in the two-match Test series against the West Indies. Shubman Gill and his men have won the first Test match by an innings and 140 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The second Test match between the Indians and the Caribbean is set to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi from October 10.
(With ANI Inputs)