The former South African fast bowler said that while India has a strong bowling attack, the hosts have a better grasp of the conditions.
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Former pacer Makhaya Ntini believes India will lose their Test series in South Africa, while Allan Donald believes the Proteas’ inexperienced batting will be put to the test by Jasprit Bumrah and company. The first Test begins on December 26 in Centurion. India will hope for their first victory in South Africa, having lost 1-2 in 2018 when the hosts featured the now-retired AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, Vernon Philander, and Dale Steyn.
“India have a very good bowling attack this time around, but the Proteas know the South African conditions better. This for me will be key,” Ntini said. “We have to back ourselves because we have that home advantage. Our players know the wickets very well and that will give us the edge,” he added.
Donald, on the other hand, believes that whichever team bats the best will win the series. He was a key figure in both the 1992-93 series against India and the 1996-97 series victory on home soil.
“Both teams line up really well, both have strong bowling line-ups and that will mean the batting on both sides will be tested,” he said.
“Our batting has lost some key players in the last couple of seasons. There’s no hiding from the fact that it’s a young line-up and they will be tested by the Indian attack. For me that is where the series will be decided. In the last few seasons, we haven’t scored enough runs and that will be the challenge. If we can put the runs on the board, we undoubtedly have the bowlers who can take 20 wickets,” added the South African.
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Donald took 330 wickets in 72 Tests for South Africa. He stated that India had worked extremely hard to achieve success on their overseas tours.
“(Virat) Kohli’s comments a few years ago were that you’ll never be classed as a great side if you don’t win away from home and that has been something he really worked towards. You saw them win in Australia and also reach the WTC (World Test Championship) Final,” Donald added.
“This is a quality Indian team that is here. I’m looking forward to it.” Nitni, who took 390 wickets in 101 Tests, has different take on the two teams.
“There’s nothing better than playing at home in familiar surroundings, especially against a very good India team. We have the likes of (captain) Dean Elgar and Temba Bavuma, who have the ability to dig in and score big runs and I also like the way that Rassie (van der Dussen) has come in and grown in that team.”
“Then we also have a guy like Quinny (de Kock), who we know will not hold back. He will play his natural game. Then when it comes to our bowling attack, we have a settled unit and one that can definitely put India under pressure. We still have that stranglehold over them because they’ve never won here and I don’t think that will change. It will mean a lot if we can win, but I’m hoping to see some good cricket,” he added.
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