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'Team India will be up for the challenge in the Test series'
Source: PTI
October 29, 2015 17:06 IST

IMAGE: Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane warm up during a practice session. Photograph: PTI

In spite of winning both the T20 and One-Day International series, South Africa don't hold any significant psychological advantage going into the four-Test rubber against hosts India, said visiting team opener Stiaan Van Zyl.

"The (South African) boys are confident after playing well in ODIs and T20s, but Test match is a different ball game. I think India will be up for the challenge," said the five-Test-old opener after the squad's practise session ahead of the two-day game against Board President's XI from Friday.

"Coming here and playing against the quality players - the (Virat) Kohlis of the world - is a great challenge. They (Indians) know what to do in their backyard," said the 28-year-old cricketer who scored a century on his Test debut against the West Indies last year after having made his first class debut in 2006.

IMAGE: AB de Villiers, captain of South Africa, warms up during a practice session. Photograph: BCCI

He expects spin bowling to pose a significant challenge to him and other teammates and said he had a decent stint earlier this year with the South Africa A squad.

"Yes, definitely. Coming here it's obvious wickets are different, a lot slower and spin a lot," said the converted left landed batsman who is a natural right hander in most other walks of life, including right arm medium pace bowling. 

"I had a decent outing in Kerala (at Wayanad with the A team against India A where he even made a 96), got a bit of confidence going into the big (four-Test) series. I did okay in subcontinent (including two Tests in Bangladesh), but obviously it's a different kind of challenge." 

"It's about spending batting time in the middle against the spinners and backing my skills," he said about his knock of 96.

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