Kohli backs India to end drought in SA

Dec 30, 2017 - 3:10 PM India feel they have the right balance in their squad to break new ground and win a series in South Africa for the first time, to underline their top ranking in Test cricket, captain Virat Kohli says.

"Our best result here has been a drawn series in 2010-11 but I feel the kind of bowling attack we have now and the balance we have in the side, we definitely can win here. There are no two ways about it," he said as India began preparations for the first Test, which starts on Friday.

"This is an opportunity for us to play good cricket. We aren't thinking about the history of past series in South Africa but concentrating on winning each session and executing our strategy well. I think international cricket is all about staying in the present and trying to do things better than your opposition at all times.

"If we didn't have that mindset, there would be no point getting on to the flight to come here."

Though India, top of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Test rankings, have won their last nine series in a row, stretching back to August 2015, their record in South Africa is poor.

Since 1992, they have won just two of the 17 Tests played there, losing five of the six series, with the 1-1 draw in 2010-11 their best return.

"We come to South Africa knowing the wickets are going to be different from those back home," Kohli said. "We are under no illusions but we are ready for it.

"Last time we were here there was a lot of talk about our batsmen being bounced out but we stood up rather nicely."

India play three Tests, six one-day Internationals and three Twenty20 matches on their two-month tour.

Source: AAP