Former South African captain Graeme Smith reckons that Team India is well equipped with quality players as they get ready for the big tour of South Africa. The Indian cricket team does not claim for a brutal record against the Proteas in the South African conditions. However, the current team looks fitter and better than ever before.

As quoted in IBTimes, Smith pointed out that India’s top order batsmen will play a crucial role in teh SA tour. He mentioned that Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli, will drive the team in the much-hyped tour. He added that all these players have developed their games from their previous visit to the country. They are all prolific chasers in the current scenario.

Smith said, “The top three are winning a lot of cricket games. Not only are they consistent, prolific run-getters, they also get it at pace. Each of them has a strike rate of 90 and above. It’s exciting to watch them. This top three will go to South Africa as better players. Since the last tour, they have all grown in stature. Virat had a decent tour [in 2013]. He has got even better. He has gone to the next level. Rohit, I think, is a better player than what he was when he came to South Africa [last time]. Shikhar has improved.”

Speaking on the same note, Graeme Smith further added, “They all go with more experience, they are better players not only mentally, but also technically. If they [India] are to be successful, their top three, both in the Test format and in the one-day format, need to have big tours.”