Claude Henderson: 200-plus could be a challenging total for South Africa

Mohali: Claude Henderson, the South African spin bowling coach, believes any target over 200 could challenge his team on a tough wicket in the first Test at Mohali. Having said that, he feels South Africa would be up for it for they have done special things in the past.

"With our batting line-up, I won't get easy if I am India because there is a lot of time left in this game and we don't know what can happen," he said at the end of Day Two.

Claude Henderson

India are 142 runs ahead in the second innings at the end of Day Two, having lost only two wickets. Henderson said South Africa need early wickets to build the pressure and restrict the hosts. While he believes a total around 200 may challenge his team, a target exceeding 300 would make it all the more difficult. "If they are going to go past 300, then it is going to be really difficult. The bigger the score, the longer you can carry catchers around. So it is going to be interesting." Henderson said.

Steyn unlikely to bowl
South Africa's task of bowling India out has become slightly tougher as Dale Steyn picked a groin injury. He didn't bowl on Day Two and is unlikely to take the field on Saturday. Henderson wasn't very positive about Steyn's fitness, "I think he is struggling. I think he has got a groin strain and I can't see him bowling tomorrow."

Though the spinners have dominated at Mohali, the absence of Steyn could be a big blow for South Africa.