Jonty Rhodes backs Indian batsmen to do well in South Africa

Jonty Rhodes

Former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes has backed the Indian batsmen to do well in South Africa in the upcoming three-match test series later this year.

There is a question mark on how well the Indians can handle Dale Steyn and company in conditions that are surely going to assist the fast bowlers. Rhodes’s backing should come as a morale booster to the Indian team.

“In the IPL, they (Indians) are playing against the South Africans and Australians. They have a lot more confidence playing against them. They have the ability and the skill. They are not afraid of the pace,” Rhodes said.

“Dale Steyn is fast but he is not going to kill you. Vernon Philander bowls 130 kmph but he bowls in good areas and Morne Morkel gets bounce. [Batsmen] need different skills to face those three different bowlers, but the Indian line-up certainly has the ability to outclass the South African pace attack if they put their minds to it,” he added.

The Indian team are to play the three Test matches between December 26 and January 19 at Kingsmead in Durban, Newlands in Capetown and the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

Rhodes made a special mention of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli as players to watch out for as they have a good back-foot game, which is extremely necessary in South Africa. He believed that Kohli was a good choice for vice-captaincy, and described Dhoni as a street smart captain.

The Mumbai Indians coach also singled out Rohit Sharma for praise, saying that he was one of the most talented batsmen he had worked with.

South Africa are the number one side in Test cricket at the moment, and this tour will surely be an ultimate test of India’s skill and temperament.

Source: Times of India