It was probably South Africa’s worst outing in Test cricket in the last decade but the shambolic 2015 tour meant a lot to the South African skipper, who instead of remembering the series with regret, points out that it helped him play spin better.
“It was tough for everyone, but it was huge value for me. After that I started playing spin better. So I think all players have to go through tough times to make them better and understand where their potential weaknesses are. And then either you can disappear or come back stronger,” du Plessis said on the eve of the Test.
He has apparently learnt his lessons from the tough tour of the Indian sub-continent where Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja destroyed them on turning tracks. South Africa lost the four-match series 0-3 and might well have lost one more if rain hadn’t intervened in the Bangalore Test.
“What Test cricket in general does to you is if there is a flaw in your game, it exposes it. Obviously last time we came here as a batting unit and personally myself found it difficult in tough conditions. The fact is that I needed to get better from a defensive and technical point of view to adapt to play in tough conditions,” Du Plessis said.
The South African middle-order batsman had made just 60 runs on that entire tour in the Test matches. But he believes that he has come back with a better mindset to the country. He and his team also have the assistance of a local coach in Amol Muzumdar.
“It is a different language, different mindset and it is really refreshing to have someone with local knowledge. He has been with us for a short time and we already have had some good conversations.
“The wickets spun more last time, this time it is not expected to turn as much. It was really dry back then and we struggled despite having an experienced line-up and now we have a young looking line up, so there is no baggage.
“These youngsters are motivated to do well in international cricket and this tour will be no different for them,” he said.
South Africa are set to field five bowlers in the first Test from what du Plessis said at the pre-match press conference. Having fielded pace dominant attacks in India before by relying on reverse swing, South Africa this time around have a versatile spinner in Keshav Maharaj.
“That is definitely one of the options [five bowlers]. India has always been a place where you can score in the first innings but in the second innings, it can get challenging and you need ample bowling resources for the first innings.
“You need more than three or four bowlers. Generally taking 20 wickets wins you Test matches.”
“In the past teams visiting India used reverse swing and extra pace to their advantage. Last time here we felt the ball spun quite a bit and the spinner we have in Maharaj is as good as anyone in the world. He would just be much as a challenge for Indian batters.
“Yes we do have some pace but is about having accurate pace. In subcontinent just pace itself doesn’t count for much. You need to be accurate for a long time and make sure that ball does something through the air.”
The series marks the beginning of the Test Championship for South Africa. They have a tough start to the WTC with them set to play England and Australia in the upcoming months after this series in India.
“It is a good time to be involved with a young team. A lot of senior players are out and leadership group has changed completely. Time to grow new leaders, the next set of pacers, the next Hashim Amla. I am excited about that.”