India have resumed their ICC World Test Championship with what is arguably their toughest assignment of the ongoing cycle – the South Africa tour.
It’s the only nation where they have played Test cricket and never won a series. They’ve come close on a couple of occasions before but they have been unable to conquer what is now being termed as their ‘final frontier’.
The legendary Ravi Shastri was the head coach of the Indian side when they toured South Africa in 2018 when they lost 1-2.
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During a pre-match show on Star Sports ahead of the first Test between India and South Africa that got underway in Centurion today, Shastri pointed out one of the big reasons why the tourists are yet to win a Test series in the Rainbow Nation.
Former South Africa pacer Vernon Philander has a terrific record in Test. He took 224 wickets from 64 Tests at 22.32 including 13 five-wicket hauls.
Known for his ability to get the ball to move either way consistently, Philander troubled India when playing in South Africa, taking 25 wickets in just five Tests.
“This is India’s best chance, you know why? Because this bloke is not playing,” Shastri said while pointing towards Philander.
“We would have beaten South Africa at least twice when I came here but for this fellow. We’ve seen (Kagiso) Rabada’s record, (Lungi) Ngidi’s record. Take a look at his record as well against India. He always gets the important wickets when we don’t want one to fall,” he added.
India will be hoping to end their wait for a maiden Test series this time around during a tour where they are slated to play two matches.
This is also India’s second Test tour of the ongoing WTC cycle having defeated West Indies 1-0 in a two-match series earlier this year.
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