Press Trust of India
Mohali, Nov 3: Calling the Wankhede pitch fiasco ‘history’, Team India director Ravi Shastri said Tuesday that home teams over the years have always got pitches prepared to suit their strengths and there is no need to ‘hide behind that issue’.
As India gear up to take on the No.1 Test side South Africa in the four-match series starting here November 5, Shastri said that the rubber promises to produce quality cricket.
“I believe at home you should play to your strengths, there is no need to hide behind that issue. It has been happening over the years and that’s what you expect in your own country. You don’t expect a pitch to turn on day one when you go to South Africa or Australia. So it will be interesting to see how this pitch is,” Shastri said while addressing the media at PCA stadium.
“Having said that I see a terrific series on our hands, probably the best we have had in the last 10 years. That’s because of the cricket that South Africa have played in the last few years,” the former all-rounder added.
India come into the series at the back of a historic Test series win in Sri Lanka, which came after 22 years. Test skipper Virat Kohli, who enjoyed his first series win as captain there, is once again in the spotlight.
“Kohli has been the Test captain for long enough. He is going along beautifully, the Sri Lankan win was a test of character for the boys and for him as well. And he will only learn as he has plenty of years ahead of him,” Shastri pointed out.
“The best thing that is happening to them is that they are up against the world’s best Test side. That enables you to learn the maximum because you are playing against a very good team,’ the team director added.
When reminded about the Australian series in 2001 (Steve Waugh termed it as the ‘Last Frontier) which India won 2-1, Shastri asserted that the current series is no less.
“I can’t remember a series since then as big as this. So the opportunity is there for the team to go out and show their mettle. If they end on the winning side, nothing like it,” the former Indian skipper said.
In spite of South Africa winning the T20 and ODI series, Shastri is not ready to accept the visitors as the favourites for the Tests also.
“I look at it the other way. I put it right back on South Africa. They have been unbeaten for the last seven years, so they will be under pressure. India have a great opportunity to upstage that and do something special,” Shastri pointed out.