India tour of South Africa: No warm-up matches in South Africa – Virat Kohli has been a staunch advocate of warm-up matches on foreign tours. India did well with warm-up games and recent Australia and England tours are two great examples. But without any warm-up, India faltered against New Zealand in the WTC Final. On the South Africa tour, India will have no warm-up games and Kohli & Co are banking on match simulation to ace the SA test. Follow India vs South Africa Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
Virat Kohli said India will lean on match simulations and intra-squad matches to prepare for South Africa challenge.
“As much as centre-wicket practice as possible, match simulation. Those kinds of things really help when you play in conditions that are in my opinion the most challenging, because of the pace and bounce on offer,” Virat Kohli said at the pre-departure press conference.
India tour of South Africa: No warm-up matches in South Africa, Virat Kohli emphasizes on match simulations to ace SA test
After India’s loss to New Zealand, Virat Kohli rued lack of practice matches. BCCI then spoke to ECB and arranged a warm-up match ahead of the Test series against England.
“We obviously wanted first-class games, which I believe have not been given to us. I don’t know what the reasons for that are,” Virat Kohli said.
In South Africa, it will not be easy. After three months of playing cricket in slower pitches on sub-continent conditions, India haven’t had great preparation. Furthermore, India will be without Rohit Sharma, the only Indian batsman who has been consistent in Test cricket in 2021.
Against the Protean speedsters like Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, India will have another makeshift opening pair in Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul. In addition, the middle-order trio of Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara have been out of for. Hence, the South African challenge will be a tough one without warm-up matches.
📍Touchdown South Africa 🇿🇦#TeamIndia #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/i8Xu6frp9C
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 16, 2021
India tour of South Africa: No warm-up matches in South Africa, Virat Kohli emphasizes on match simulations to ace SA test
“The conditions can be tricky with swing, we’ve seen that in South Africa. So as much simulation as we can have, understanding which areas we’re hitting the ball, getting into good shapes, with the bowlers as well, with slips set in place, what areas they want to bowl, cut down easy singles, boundary options – all those things help you get into a good space when you have no warm-up games,” Virat Kohli said.
India in South Africa in Tests:
| Series/Tournament | Season | Winner | Margin |
| India in South Africa Test Series | 1992/93 | South Africa | 1-0 (4) |
| India in South Africa Test Series | 1996/97 | South Africa | 2-0 (3) |
| India in South Africa Test Series | 2001/02 | South Africa | 1-0 (2) |
| India in South Africa Test Series | 2006/07 | South Africa | 2-1 (3) |
| India in South Africa Test Series | 2010/11 | drawn | 1-1 (3) |
| India in South Africa Test Series | 2013/14 | South Africa | 1-0 (2) |
| Freedom Trophy (Test series) | 2017/18 | South Africa | 2-1 (3) |
India tour of South Africa: No warm-up matches in South Africa, Virat Kohli emphasizes on match simulations to ace SA test
India on overseas tours:
In New Zealand: Lost 0-2
In Australia: Won 2-1 (4)
In West Indies: Won 2-0 (2)
In England: Leading 2-1 (5)
India Tour of South Africa: India tour of South Africa: Virat Kohli confirms, KL Rahul & Mayank Agarwal will open against South Africa in Rohit Sharma’s absence’
India Tour of South Africa: Can India end 29-year wait?
While India have won in all the countries, South Africa remains the Achilles heel. In seven attempts, India haven’t won one. The last time India toured South Africa, India lost 1-2. But that is where India turned things around and this time, India will have the best opportunity.
India tour of South Africa: No warm-up matches in South Africa, Virat Kohli emphasizes on match simulations to ace SA test
The South Africa team do not have the likes of Dale Steyn, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis and the new-look team has struggled in the recent past. They have lost against Pakistan and managed to win only against Sri Lanka and West Indies on home soil. In fact, out of the last four series at home, South Africa have lost three. In contrast, India have won in Australia and are leading 2-1 in England. Kohli said India do have the quality to win in South Africa.
“We do have the quality in the side to be able to create the best combination possible and still be able to win Test matches, because we’ve created that bench strength and environment where people coming in are seizing opportunities, grabbing it with both hands, and making sure the team is helped by their performances,” Virat Kohli said.
India tour of South Africa: No warm-up matches in South Africa, Virat Kohli emphasizes on match simulations to ace SA test
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