It is impossible to beat India in India: Albie Morkel

South Africa have already played the T20I and Test series in India last year. The T20Is were tied 1-1 while the hosts thrashed the Proteas 3-0 in the longer format. Now, the Africans are here once again to play the ODI leg of the tour that features three games starting Thursday in Dharamsala. South Africa had won the last bilateral ODI series they played in India in 2015 but were hammered in their own den in 2018.

Former South Africa bowling all-rounder Albie Morkel, who is a member of the South Africa Legends team which is participating in the ongoing Road Safety World Series in India, spoke over his country’s prospects in the upcoming ODI series. The 38-year-old former limited-overs specialist feels it is almost impossible to beat India in India ruling out a Proteas win in the series.

India will win 2-1 according to Albie Morkel

When asked about his thoughts on the series, Albie Morkel, while speaking to Sportstar, said: “It was sort of a mixed summer before the new coaching staff took over. Obviously, they had a fantastic win against Australia in the One-Day series, after losing the T20 series badly. So I’m unsure.

“Even if a team is in top form, beating India in India is almost an impossible task. It’s gonna be a tough series for them, but I do expect them to at least compete. India will win it 2-1, but South Africa should compete, especially now that they have the confidence after the series against Australia.”

Overall, India and SA have met 84 times in ODIs with the Proteas having a 46-35 lead while three games ended without a result. Their last series in the rainbow nation saw India winning a six-match series 5-1 with captain Virat Kohli in a thunderous form.

Morkel, who played one Test, 58 ODIs and 50 T20Is between 2004 and 2015, will be playing his first match in the veterans’ series on Wednesday when the South Africa Legends take on the West Indies Legends in Mumbai. They will then play two back-to-back games on March 13 (against Sri Lanka) and India (March 14) before taking on Australia on March 19.