Former national selector and ex-wicketkeeper Saba Karim has predicted India to win their first-ever Test series in South Africa when the two teams lock horns from Boxing Day in Centurion.
Saba Karim feels this tour is the ideal opportunity for India to make history in South Africa because of their experience and form in red-ball cricket in 2021.
India are fresh from home success against New Zealand, while South Africa have not played red-ball cricket since June ahead of the first Test that starts in Pretoria on December 26.
“Either 2-0 or 2-1 (in Tests). In ODI we are anyway a far superior side.
“It is immensely strong (bench strength) and proof of that was shown by them in Australia. We won the fourth Test without I think five or six of our regular players. That shows the kind of strength that India have got in our reserves.
“And I expect the same this time around and it is our golden opportunity for us as well have an experienced set up. Plus we have some potentially exciting youngsters who are coming through to the team. It will be an ideal combination for us to do well in South Africa,” he explained.
India will miss their newly-appointed vice-captain Rohit Sharma, who was ruled out of the Tests due to a hamstring injury. India will also be without their two premier left-arm spinners in Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel due to injuries.
