If India want to dominate world cricket they have to prove themsleves abroad, says Jacques Kallis

India finished their home season with a series win over Sri Lanka that helped India maintain their top position in the ICC Test rankings. However, the team will now face its first real challenge when they play away against South Africa next, who is in the second spot in the rankings. Indian team have its fair share of advocates and doubters and former South African all-rounder Kallis seems to be one of the latter as he has stated that if the Men in Blue really want to consider themselves as a superpower in world cricket then they have to continue their winning form out of India too, especially in the fast pitches. 

“If India want to dominate world cricket, they are going to have to improve their record away from the slow and low pitches at home,” Kallis said as quoted by Cricketnext.

The fans will not only witness the top two Test teams facing each other but it is also a battle between Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers- two of the world’s best batsmen. While Kohli has played 63 Tests scoring 5268 runs at an average of 53.75 including 20 centuries and 15 half-centuries, de Villiers has featured in 107 Tests so far in which he has scored 8127 runs at an average of 50.47 with 21 centuries and 40 half-centuries.

“Both Kohli and AB are world-class players and one knows the impact they can have on the game. So, the motive for the opposition will be to get them out as cheaply as possible,” said Kallis.

India, in all likelihood, would match South Africa toe-to-toe for the first time with their pace attack. While the hosts boast of players like Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada, the visitors have brought with themselves mercurial talents like Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

“The conditions will favour seamers in South Africa, but getting the ball in the right areas will be the key. Also, one needs to keep up the aggression. A fit Dale is an asset to any team,” the 42-year-old said.

Kallis, the current coach of IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders and former player, has observed the Indian players closely in the league and claimed that the series will give a chance to Pandya, who has only played three Tests so far, to prove his worth in the longest format of the game.

“It will be a good test to see how his skills as an all-rounder has come along,” he signed off.