South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad has expressed confidence that his side can create history in the upcoming two-match Test series against Shubman Gill’s India, starting November 14 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Despite touring India seven times, the Proteas have managed only one Test series win — way back in 2000 — but Conrad believes his team’s well-rounded spin unit could finally change that narrative.
Conrad highlighted the depth in South Africa’s spin department, featuring Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, and Senuran Muthusamy, as a key factor that gives his team confidence ahead of the series.
“Having good spinners in your team does add spice to the contest. Not that we didn’t have quality spinners before, but this current trio gives us balance and control. With Keshav, Simon, and Sen, we feel we’ve got the right armoury to challenge India in their own conditions,” Shukri Conrad said during a pre-match press conference.
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The Proteas coach added that his side is “quietly confident” of scripting a memorable chapter in South African cricket history. “If the conditions favour spin, we’re ready to capitalize. We genuinely believe this team has what it takes to make history here at Eden Gardens and across India,” he stated.
South Africa comes into this series on the back of a hard-fought 1-1 draw in Pakistan, where their spinners played a pivotal role in the comeback win at Rawalpindi. However, Conrad was quick to acknowledge that India presents a far sterner test.
“India are tough to beat anywhere, but playing them at an iconic venue like Eden Gardens takes the challenge to another level. You can’t compare the teams we faced in Pakistan to India — this is going to be our biggest test yet,” he admitted.
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In their last Test outing, Harmer, Muthusamy, and Maharaj combined for 33 wickets, with Maharaj’s seven-wicket haul being the highlight. The trio will once again be central to South Africa’s hopes of pulling off a historic series win in India.
