There is no point wasting two days for the warm-up game: Virat Kohli

India and South Africa are set to face off in the first Test in Cape Town starting January 5. Usually, the visiting team plays one or two practice matches to get used to the conditions and prepare themselves for the tour. However, the Indian contingent lead by Virat Kohli cancelled the two-day practice match and have opted for practice sessions instead.

This decision from the management could actually work in favour of the team. The visitors can change the nature of the practice wickets according to their needs that will help them prepare better for the series. In a warm-up match, they do not quite have control on the pitch that is used.

The Men in Blue had two practice sessions on Saturday at the Western Province Cricket Club. The batsmen gave it all in these sessions which lasted for four hours each. The bowlers were assisted by head Ravi Shastri and bowling coach Bharat Arun. They got the bounce and enough carry from the centre wicket.

No point wasting time

“If you look at the wicket we are playing on right now, it’s not even going to be 15 percent of what we will get in the game. We understand that. There is no point wasting two days, guys going in, scoring quick fifties and coming out. We would rather have them do two sessions like today, get into the Test match zone and test ourselves,” Indian captain Virat Kohli was quoted as saying to the media in Cape Town on Saturday.

“We can try and prepare the wickets the way you want to. But if you are playing a two-day game there is no chance of changing the wicket at different times of the day,” he added.

The current Indian squad has set high standards and will be expected to maintain it in the upcoming series. They have the confidence and belief to do well in overseas conditions. The teams from India have struggled to deal with pace and bounce on the wickets in the past but this is a new look team and it is better equipped to tackle it. Virat will be expected to lead them from the front and prove the capability of the team.

Team India hasn’t won a Test series in South Africa and this is considered their best chance to do that.

“I feel the kind of bowling attack we have and the kind of batting experience we have, we definitely believe we can win here. There is no two ways about it. If we don’t have that mindset there is no point of getting on that flight as well,” Kohli added.

Complete coverage of the South Africa vs India series live on CricTracker.com.