Virender Sehwag believes Kohli, Rohit and Dhawan will play key role in South Africa

The upcoming tour of South Africa is considered by many as India's biggest challenge because of their poor history on their soil and their inability to get going on fast and bouncy pitches. India have failed to register a single series win in South since they first played in 1992. However, their almost invincible form over the last two years has now convinced many to have a glimmer of hope this time, especially with the likes of Kohli, Rohit and Dhawan in fiery form.

When Kohli visited South Africa last time in 2013, he had played two Tests scoring 272 runs at an average of 68.00. Rohit, who showed his scoring prowess in the Test series against Sri Lanka, was also a part of the 2013 squad but didn’t have a good record as he managed only 45 runs at an average of 11.25 in two games. Unfortunately, Dhawan had also failed to play any good knock then making only 76 runs in the two games.

The trio has evolved enormously since then amassing thousands of runs. While Kohli and Rohit were found breaking and creating records at will, Dhawan has also been in good touch scoring 550 runs at an average of 68.75 in five matches. Their recent performances seem to have won the trust of Virender Sehwag, who believes that the trio will play a major role in the series against South Africa.

"The wicket in South Africa is great and it is always fun batting under that condition. And Kohli and Rohit will be worth watching", Sehwag said in live chat. 

"Kohli and Rohit Sharma… these are the two batsmen. If Rohit gets the opportunity to bat at No. 6, then I would love to watch him play. I am a big fan of his six-hitting prowess. Shikhar Dhawan is another batsman. If he stays on after 50, he will turn it into a one-day game."

Under Kohli’s captaincy, Indian cricket team has performed brilliantly in the all three formats of the game in 2017, but one cannot ignore fact that this year the team has played their maximum number of matches at home. This has essentially questioned India's world ranking and dominance in world cricket, something that Kohli and his team will have to answer next year when the team is scheduled to play South Africa, England and Australia respectively.

Sehwag, too, accepted that the team will face a real challenge when they tour the above countries and believes that if Kohli manages to achieve half of what Indian did this year, it will be considered a success.

"In 2017, India have won 37 matches across all formats. I won't expect so much in 2018. If the Men in Blue can win at least half of what the number of victories they have amassed in 2017, it will be a big achievement for them. Or maybe if the team can bag at least one series or two, out of the three played in South Africa, Australia, and England, it will be big for us.

But yes, I feel that this time Team India will script history in South Africa. And if we don't play well then it might affect our rankings, but I have full faith in Virat and his side," Sehwag said.