Pressure will be on India: Smith

South African captain Graeme Smith says that pressure will be on No.1 Test side India to justify their top billing when the three match Test series begins here Thursday.

Ahead of the much anticipated first Test, the South African captain said being No.1 in the world meant they have to show that they were capable of winning in different conditions around the world.

“To be No.1 in the world means you have to be consistently performing around the world. When Australia held the mantle they were beating teams in their backyard all the time. As much as you want to be strong at home, you want to be strong away from home too. That pressure is on India,” said Smith.

He was clear that spinner Paul Harris would play. “The way we have played out Test cricket
in the last few years, I would think we would go in with a spinner.”

Smith said that South Africa remains one of the toughest places to tour.

He said the home team has requested a green top. “We want pace and bounce.”

Leave a Comment