Advertisement

Kohli and Shastri optimistic of historic India triumph

Kohli and Shastri optimistic of historic India triumph

Kohli and Shastri optimistic of historic India triumph

Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri believe India are far better equipped to make history by beating South Africa in the upcoming three-match Test series.

India have never won a Test series in South Africa, but will go into the first match at Newlands on Friday with big expectations of consigning the Proteas to defeat on home soil.

Kohli is confident the tourists can show why they are the top-ranked side in the world as they eye a 10th consecutive series win in the longest format.

The captain said at an arrival press conference: "For us it is about winning sessions, being in the present, executing our skills well, not looking at the history of a particular country we are playing in.

"A lot of our players have played here before. But it's about the number of games we had played then and the number we have played now. We all understand our own games so much better. As a team we have confidence in our personal skills set.

"There's a sense of intelligence and awareness and that provides the excitement. We know exactly what we need to do come game time. We know how to win Test matches."

Coach Shastri is also backing a star-studded India side to show what they are made of.

"This team is up for the challenge. If you had asked me four years ago I would have said no. But this team has gained in experience," he said. 

"The beauty of this team is that it doesn't matter which opposition. We look at the pitch and adapt to the conditions. Every game is a home game. It's as simple as that."