NEW DELHI: As Team India gears up for a two-game Test series against South Africa, bowling all-rounder
Shardul Thakur
shared insights on the unique challenges posed by playing Test cricket in the Proteas' challenging conditions.
Speaking on the official YouTube channel of teammate
Ravichandran Ashwin
, Shardul acknowledged the difficulty of predicting the pitch conditions in South Africa.
"South Africa is one of the most difficult countries to play Test cricket in. Even if we play all over the country, this is one country where you can't expect what you will get from the pitch. It's very important to go out there, play the game, and on the game day, judge the conditions of the pitch and the ground. Put yourself in a position to give your best according to that," remarked Shardul.
The 32-year-old emphasized the need to acclimatize to South Africa's weather, particularly the altitude, to ensure optimal performance on the field.
"Right now, I am just getting acclimatized to the weather, and I also learned that this is a little high in altitude. So, on the day when you shouldn't be short of breath when you're doing some running around or bowling, it's very important to get the feel," he added.
Shardul highlighted the challenges of maintaining physical endurance in South Africa's conditions, emphasizing the importance of managing breath and stamina during key moments of the game.
The two-match Test series is set to commence on December 26 at Centurion and will conclude on January 7 in Cape Town.
As Team India faces the unpredictable South African pitches, players like Shardul Thakur are gearing up for the dynamic conditions, emphasizing adaptability and resilience in their approach.
India's squad for Tests: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill,
Yashasvi Jaiswal
, Virat Kohli,
Shreyas Iyer
,
Ruturaj Gaikwad
, KL Rahul (Wk), Ravichandran Ashwin,
Ravindra Jadeja
, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Prasidh Krishna, KS Bharat (Wk).
(With inputs from ANI)
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