By Sirshendu Panth, IANS,
Kolkata: On the doorstep of a “lifetime opportunity” of a Test series win on Indian soil, South African skipper Graeme Smith Saturday asserted that his team will exert pressure on India in the second Test beginning Sunday, and hoped that the pitch controversy will help his side.
“It’s a lifetime opportunity to win a series in India. We are a team motivated to achieve. Normally teams don’t get the opportunity to win series in India,” Smith said at the match-eve media conference at the Eden Gardens Saturday.
South Africa are ahead 1-0 in the two-Test series with an innings victory in the opening Test at Nagpur.
South Africa need a draw not only to clinch the series, but also to reclaim the top spot in world Test rankings after being dislodged by India last December. However, Smith was categorical that the series win would be more heartwarming for his team.
“The first position in Test rankings is not really in the forefront of our hearts. We know if we play good cricket over the next five days, we will get the top ranking. But if we can win the series, it will be a great achievement. Winning the series will be terrific,” he said.
The South African skipper said his team would implement their gameplan in such a manner “so that the pressure is created on India.”
“We are playing as well as we did. We are executing our plans. Pressure is going to be on India,” Smith said.
The ongoing controversy triggered by the Eden Gardens curator Prabir Mukherjee’s reported refusal to accede to the Indian Cricket Board’s request for a track to suit spinners has caught the notice of the South Africans.
“There has been a lot of talk about the wicket. It looked pretty good yesterday. I am sure it will be a pretty good wicket as always here. Good Test wicket. Let’s hope that this little distraction helps us,” said Smith.
Praising fast bowler Dale Steyn, who picked up 10 wickets in the Nagpur Test, Smith said he has delivered well in the last couple of years. “He has been able to adapt to all conditions. With the way he has matured, and the skills he has got, it’s a great asset to have somebody like Dale in the side”.
The 26-year-old Steyn is five short of taking 200 Test wickets.
On the prospects of a battle royale between Steyn and Indian opener Gautam Gambhir, he said the willower was a good player of spin. “Gambhir has played a lot in the subcontinent. He is a good player of spin and has done well here. His test is going to be how he travels the world.”
Smith did not think India would make many changes in the team combination. “I guess its only a one Test match loss and they are trying not to panic.”