31 December,2017 09:15 AM IST | Cape Town | Anand Vasu
Kohli says Team India must be confident when they face the pace and bounce of SA bowlers
SA pacer Dale Steyn celebrates the wicket of India's Cheteshwar Pujara during the second Test at Kingsmead in Durban in December 2013. PIC/GETTY IMAGES
Keep calm and play cricket. These were words on the mobile phone cover set in front of Virat Kohli to record his first press conference on South African soil on Saturday. And it certainly seemed to echo the message captain and coach had for anyone listening. Kohli laid out what India's batsmen need to do in what will be their most challenging assignment. "The most important thing is to not get surprised by the pace and bounce. We have convinced ourselves that it's going to be quicker and bouncier than back at home and you might get balls that may surprise you now and then," said Kohli.
"The most important thing is to put it behind you and focus on the next ball. You can't afford to think there is too much pace and bounce. You would rather believe in your abilities and take it head on." Kohli, who said the team "were under no delusions" about the kind of pitches they would get - green and bouncy - was backed up to the hilt by coach Ravi Shastri who believed that his team have a real chance of creating history by being the first Indian outfit to win a Test series on South African soil.
Skipper Virat Kohli addresses the media in Cape Town on Saturday. PIC/AP, PTI
"All I can say is the team is up for the challenge. In fact, if you had asked me four years ago, I would have said no. But this team has gained in experience," said Shastri. "You have got bench strength in your fast bowling department which is the key in taking 20 wickets. The beauty of this team is it doesn't matter which opposition it is. We respect all oppositions. We look at the pitch and adapt to those conditions," he added.
Shastri went as far as saying the first Test, starting at Newlands on January 5, was no different to playing at home. "For us, every game is a home game. Even this is a home game for us at Newlands. You see the pitch, you adapt. No excuses, no complaints," said Shastri. "Two teams have to play on that surface. Tomorrow you go to England, it might be seaming all over the place. You come to India, it might be turning. If you want to be rated as a side, you adapt to the conditions. It's as simple as that. Leave all the other crap aside and try and compete in the conditions that on offer."
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