South African Test captain, Dean Elgar acknowledged that the fast bowling unit of Team India has shown tremdnous improvements in overseas conditions while lauding Jasprit Bumrah. Elgar said that Bumrah will be exploiting the South African conditions pretty well. India has never won a Test series in South Africa, despite winning three Tests across six tours, and now they will be expected to win their maiden Test series in rainbow nation. Bumrah made his Test debut in the 2018 series in South Africa.

In a virtual media interaction, Dean Elgar said, “He (Bumrah) is a world-class bowler. If there is one bowler who can exploit South African conditions pretty well, it would be him. But again, we don’t focus on one guy. India as a whole is a pretty, pretty good side. They’ve been a pretty good side for the last two to three years and have toured very well of late.”

Dean Elgar said senior bowler R Ashwin has not had too much success in South Africa but hailed the latter as one of the best spinners in world cricket. South Africa had their training at the Wanderers till Tuesday while the Indian players are training in Centurion.

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Elaborating the same, Dean Elgar said, “India has been an immensely improved bowling line up especially playing away from home as well. We’re very mindful of what we’re going to be up against. So I will rather be sitting here knowing that than possibly sitting in the Indian dressing room knowing that they have to face our bowlers.”

South Africa suffered a huge blow ahead of the series opener with Anrich Nortje being ruled out due to injury. Kagiso Rabada will lead the attack along with Duanne Oliver, who has returned to play for South Africa after the end of the Kolpak deal in the UK, and Lungi Ngidi. However, they also lack experience in the batting lineup. 

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Talking about the inexperience in the batting line-up, Dean Elgar said: “Professional cricket is about taking your opportunities and making the position your own…if they don’t, there’ll be other guys knocking on the door. But it’s always going to be tough playing against the best side in the world. They’ve got a very good bowling lineup and we are aware of it.”