NEW DELHI: As Team India gears up for a two-game Test series against South Africa, bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur shared insights on the unique challenges posed by playing Test cricket in the Proteas' challenging conditions.
Speaking on the official YouTube channel of teammate Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul acknowledged the difficulty of predicting the pitch conditions in South Africa.
"South Africa is one of the most difficult countries to play Test cricket in. Even if we play all over the country, this is one country where you can't expect what you will get from the pitch. It's very important to go out there, play the game, and on the game day, judge the conditions of the pitch and the ground. Put yourself in a position to give your best according to that," remarked Shardul.
The 32-year-old emphasized the need to acclimatize to South Africa's weather, particularly the altitude, to ensure optimal performance on the field.
"Right now, I am just getting acclimatized to the weather, and I also learned that this is a little high in altitude. So, on the day when you shouldn't be short of breath when you're doing some running around or bowling, it's very important to get the feel," he added.
Shardul highlighted the challenges of maintaining physical endurance in South Africa's conditions, emphasizing the importance of managing breath and stamina during key moments of the game.
1/10:South Africa confident of 'stopping' India in Test series
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2/10:RABADA IS READY!
<p>With his frontline pacers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi hitting the nets ahead of the 'Boxing Day' Test, South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad on Saturday expressed confidence that India won't be able to breach their 'Final Frontier' in the upcoming series.<br /></p>Getty Images
3/10:STAR PACER
<p>Rabada was rested from the white ball leg as he was nursing a heel niggle while Ngidi pulled out after sustaining a left ankle injury ahead of the T20Is.<br /></p>Getty Images
4/10:SPEEDSTERS
<p>On Saturday afternoon though, Rabada and Nigidi bowled full tilt at the centre training wicket of the Supersport Park and facing them was Dean Elgar, who is playing in his last series.<br /></p>Getty Images
5/10:STAGE IS SET
<p>The Centurion track is a pacer's dream although India did get the better of South Africa last time around. The head coach would want his lethal weapons to fire on all cylinders.<br /></p>PTI
6/10:WE ARE READY!
<p>Both Rabada and Ngidi are coming into the game without match time but the coach isn't overtly worried.<br /></p>TIMESOFINDIA.COM
7/10:COACH CONRAD
<p>Shukri Conrad is aware that India haven't won any Test series in eight attempts here, starting from 1992.<br /></p>PTI
8/10:TWO-TEST SERIES
<p>However, this is the first time that India are playing in a two-Test series in this country. Conrad expected it to be a lengthier one. He believes that his men can maintain that record of not losing a Test series in their own backyard.<br /></p>PTI
9/10:NET SESSION
<p>There were 14 out of 15 members sweating it out and even former KKR and RCB all-rounder David Wiese, who plays international cricket for Namibia, was seen bowling to India's nemesis Keegan Peterson in the main nets.<br /></p>PTI
10/10:YOUNG GUNS
<p>Young guns Gerald Coetzee and Nandre Burger were seen going flat out while Marco Jansen looked sharp.<br /></p>Getty ImagesThe two-match Test series is set to commence on December 26 at Centurion and will conclude on January 7 in Cape Town.
As Team India faces the unpredictable South African pitches, players like Shardul Thakur are gearing up for the dynamic conditions, emphasizing adaptability and resilience in their approach.
India's squad for Tests: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (Wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Prasidh Krishna, KS Bharat (Wk).
(With inputs from ANI)
