Gautam Gambhir believes batting will be India's biggest challenge in Test series vs South Africa

Former India player Gautam Gambhir said that the responsibility will be on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to step up with the bat for Team India in the upcoming Test series against South Africa. Both teams will take on each other in a two-match Test series, with the first match starting in Centurion on Tuesday, December 26 as well. India, who have never won a Test series in South Africa, will try to end that drought this time as well.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Gambhir said: “Pace, bounce and seam. I believe your batting will definitely be under pressure because South Africa probably do not have the same batting they had in 2011 but their bowling still has the might – (Kagiso) Rabada, (Gerald) Coetzee, (Nandre) Burger and Marco Jansen. I believe the pressure will be on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli because they have that experience. Bowlers definitely win you the series in South Africa but if your batters don’t put runs on the board, you won’t be able to create pressure for your bowlers.”

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However, Gautam Gambhir further added that apart from Rohit and Kohli, Team India have an inexperienced batting lineup as well. He also shared that while Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer would be playing their first Tests there as well. Meanwhile, KL Rahul might be donning the keeping gloves for the first time. Gautam Gambhir also feels the Indian pacers will also be under pressure. Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami’s absence due to injury could affect their bowling attack.

“A good series is expected because India also have the bowling which will test the South African batting in their conditions. The pressure will be on two fast bowlers as well. Along with Jasprit Bumrah, it will be the first (second) tour for Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna, if he plays,” Gautam Gambhir concluded. “So don’t talk about the batting only, the bowling will be under as much pressure, because there will be expectations from bowling. If Mohammed Shami had been there, India would have been all-out favorites. Mohammed Siraj is still young. So I believe your bowling will be tested as much as your batting.”