I don’t think India will be under pressure in South Africa: Ashish Nehra

The former India fast bowler Ashish Nehra feels that team India will not be under pressure during their tour to South Africa next year. He retired from all forms of cricket after the first T20 International against New Zealand in Delhi. Nehra served Indian cricket for almost 18 years since 1999 when he made his debut at the highest level. India is scheduled to play 3 Tests, 6 ODIs and 3 T20Is against Proteas in their own den from 5th January 2018.

Nehra, after hanging his boots from cricket, has taken up the commentary in Hindi and is currently covering the ongoing Test series between India and Sri Lanka in Kolkata at Eden Gardens. The green wicket assisted by the overcast conditions has put India in trouble and the team is struggling to get hold of the conditions so far. Though the 38-year-old feels that there is no need to panic and India will also get the chance to bowl on the wicket in same conditions.

Nehra backs Shami to come good in SA

Ashish Nehra believes that India will do well in South Africa despite Dale Steyn and Ab de Villiers making their return for the series. “I don’t think India will be under pressure in South Africa. I hear a lot of talk around that, but if they have Steyn and Rabada, we have Kohli; and he is always ready to perform against adversity. I expect Shami to come good in South Africa. They have Dale Steyn and overall are a good bowling unit but we have Shami and he is very good too,” he said as quoted by Zee news.

The left-arm bowler also opined that the current Eden wicket is a good preparation for the team ahead of their tour to South Africa. “The Eden wicket is good preparation for India’s tour of South Africa. There the ball will have carry and lateral movement. This wicket is giving them a good test of roughly what lies ahead. “It’s a good wicket. As I said, good preparation for South Africa. There is nothing to fear for India, though, as Sri Lanka would have to bat also. The par score would be 200-220 on this track,” he added.