India’s tour of South Africa will be a litmus test for young Indian batsmen

India will embark on their toughest test yet this year when they tour South Africa

India are about to embark on a tour of South Africa in a few days. The tour will be the biggest challenge in the test careers of the young Indian batsmen.

For most of the Indian batsmen, it will be the first Test tour of South Africa. Also, the batting line-up is very inexperienced, with most of them having played less than 25 Test matches. They have played most of their Test matches in their short careers on home soil. The transition from playing on slow turning tracks of India to playing on fast seaming tracks of South Africa will be tough.

What makes the challenge tougher is the presence of Dale Steyn in the South African bowling line up. He is currently the number one bowler in ICC Test rankings, and is one of the all time great fast bowlers. He has the ability to swing the ball both ways at 90+ mph and can trouble any batting line up on a helpful pitch. Facing him on the green seaming pitches of South Africa is the biggest challenge for any batsman in Test cricket right now.

Even the support cast of Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel is very handy in home conditions. Philander especially has been very successful in his short Test career and averages around 6 wickets every match. Facing these two won’t be an easy task either.

To be successful against such odds would require great mental application and focus on part of the Indian batsmen. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma would be the key batsmen as they have an all round shot making ability combined with a good defence. If they can attack Steyn and get him off his length, that can go a big way in making life easier for them and the other batsmen.

Whatever happens, one thing is sure that the performances in South Africa will be a true indicator of their ability to perform on foreign soil. It will be a litmus test and those passing it can be expected to bring greater glory and joy to Indian batting in the days and years to come.