CHENNAI: There appears to be an air of optimism round India as they prepare for their excursion of South Africa. And former South African allrounder Lance Klusener believes Hardik Pandya generally is a key think about how the collection plays out.
"An allrounder of the quality of Pandya gives India the edge both with the bat and ball. He is an exciting talent who provides balance to the Indian unit. Pandya -a medium-pacer who comes to bat lower down the order - provides skipper Virat Kohli with a lot of options with team combination," Klusener told TOI.
Klusener, however, cautioned Pandya to brace up for a short-ball barrage from the South African quicks. "I expect the South African bowlers to use the short ball against him. But if he survives those initial moments and gets his eye in, then Pandya could be lethal," Klusener stated.
Klusener, who featured in 49 Tests and 171 ODIs for South Africa, believes the hosts too have their very own allround option in Chris Morris. While it sort of feels not going that the tall allrounder will function in the taking part in XI, the current Zimbabwe batting trainer hopes Morris will step up if will get a choice. "Chris makes a comeback after recovering from a groin injury. Chris and Pandya are similar in their skill set as they can score those crucial runs coming late in the innings and chip in with crucial breakthroughs with their medium-pace," Klusener stated.
Klusener is obvious that the collection will probably be carefully fought but South Africa could call the pictures due to their ambitious pace battery. "Both India and South Africa have full strength sides to choose from. There is little to separate the two teams but I reckon South Africa will enjoy a slight edge in the pace bowling department as the likes of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada and Vernon Philander are well-versed with the conditions. On the other hand, India have a well-rounded attack with terrific spin bowling options such as R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja to choose from," he stated.
Klusener felt the South Africa bowlers will probably be willing to test themselves towards a batsman of Kohli's high quality. "If India aim to win this series then Kohli will have to score. He would be tested and it gives our bowlers a chance to know how good they are when they bowl to one of the best batters in the world currently," he stated.
Interestingly, Klusener doesn't seem to be in favour of the four-day day-night Test which saw his facet play South Africa final month. "I am not a fan of it and it's my personal point of view. I prefer the five-day traditional Test format. But, if lower-ranked sides get a chance to play teams such as South Africa in the 4-day format, then it's great. I feel ICC must make a separate category of 4-day Tests and not club it in the Test cricket bracket," he stated.
"An allrounder of the quality of Pandya gives India the edge both with the bat and ball. He is an exciting talent who provides balance to the Indian unit. Pandya -a medium-pacer who comes to bat lower down the order - provides skipper Virat Kohli with a lot of options with team combination," Klusener told TOI.
Klusener, however, cautioned Pandya to brace up for a short-ball barrage from the South African quicks. "I expect the South African bowlers to use the short ball against him. But if he survives those initial moments and gets his eye in, then Pandya could be lethal," Klusener stated.
Klusener, who featured in 49 Tests and 171 ODIs for South Africa, believes the hosts too have their very own allround option in Chris Morris. While it sort of feels not going that the tall allrounder will function in the taking part in XI, the current Zimbabwe batting trainer hopes Morris will step up if will get a choice. "Chris makes a comeback after recovering from a groin injury. Chris and Pandya are similar in their skill set as they can score those crucial runs coming late in the innings and chip in with crucial breakthroughs with their medium-pace," Klusener stated.
Klusener is obvious that the collection will probably be carefully fought but South Africa could call the pictures due to their ambitious pace battery. "Both India and South Africa have full strength sides to choose from. There is little to separate the two teams but I reckon South Africa will enjoy a slight edge in the pace bowling department as the likes of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada and Vernon Philander are well-versed with the conditions. On the other hand, India have a well-rounded attack with terrific spin bowling options such as R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja to choose from," he stated.
Klusener felt the South Africa bowlers will probably be willing to test themselves towards a batsman of Kohli's high quality. "If India aim to win this series then Kohli will have to score. He would be tested and it gives our bowlers a chance to know how good they are when they bowl to one of the best batters in the world currently," he stated.
Interestingly, Klusener doesn't seem to be in favour of the four-day day-night Test which saw his facet play South Africa final month. "I am not a fan of it and it's my personal point of view. I prefer the five-day traditional Test format. But, if lower-ranked sides get a chance to play teams such as South Africa in the 4-day format, then it's great. I feel ICC must make a separate category of 4-day Tests and not club it in the Test cricket bracket," he stated.
Pandya provides Kohli with a lot of options: Klusener
![Pandya provides Kohli with a lot of options: Klusener]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
January 04, 2018
Rating:
