The cricket fans are eagerly waiting for the upcoming three-match Test series between India and South Africa, starting December 26 in Centurion. Many experts from the cricket fraternity reckoned this as India’s best chance to clinch a series victory in the rainbow nation. Notably, India haven’t yet won a Test leg against Proteas in their backyard.
Ahead of the highly-anticipated series, Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar has shared some golden tips for batters to attain success in challenging South African conditions. Not to mention, Tendulkar has played some memorable knocks in South Africa against some top-quality bowlers such as Alan Donald, Shaun Pollack, Makhaya Ntini and Dale Steyn.
Tendulkar, who had scored over 1000 runs in the rainbow nation, opined that front foot defence would be the most crucial factor for the Indian batters in South African conditions. In a chat with Boria Majumdar on ‘Backstage with Boria’, the Mumbaikar said: “I’ve always said, front foot defence is important. Upfront, front foot defence is important. And that front foot defence is going to count here. The first 25 overs, front foot defence is going to be critical.”
Tendulkar also mentioned the importance of keeping one’s hands close to the body while playing the front foot defence. He cited examples of KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma for their impressive batting show during India’s last Test tour of England.
“And that is what we got to see in England when Rahul got those runs, and so did Rohit. Their front foot defence was solid. The hands were not going away from the body. When your hands start going away from your body, that is when you start losing control slowly but surely. And the beauty was their hands were not going away,” added Tendulkar.
The 48-year-old reckoned that sometimes batters would get beaten, but playing close to the body will indeed maximize the chances of not edging the ball.
“They got beaten on occasion, and that’s fine, you know? Every batter gets beaten. Bowlers are there to pick wickets, so that’s okay. But when your hands start going away from your body, that is when you are likely to edge the ball,” Tendulkar added further.
