Daryll Cullinan believes South Africa are the underdogs against India
Former South African batsman Darryl Cullinan named South Africa as the underdogs in their upcoming series against India, Cricbuzz reports. He believes that a lack of experience in the Proteas squad coupled with the weather conditions in India, the hosts are favourites to come out on top.
India and South Africa are set to do battle in 3 T20Is, 5 ODIs and 4 Test matches over a two month period in what is expected to be a closely-fought contest. Cullinan though believes that the visitors which has several young players in their squad will have a tough task acclimatising to the conditions in India.
“Surely, South Africa (are the underdogs). They are coming out of winter and haven't been fresh. AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla are experienced but to arrive in India straight from winters, you need experience. It's not only about pitch conditions but overall weather conditions. To hit the ground running and confident against spinners, you need experience and I am not sure about the other guys,” Cullinan said.
Cullinan believes fast bowlers holds the key for the series
Former South Africa coach Ray Jennings had said that the Proteas would have to rely on their spinners to come out on top in the subcontinent pitches, but Cullinan thinks otherwise.
“I can't see South Africa beat India with their spin attack. I know in recent times, India's ability to play spin has been a concern. In our time, we beat India with a four-pronged pace attack putting unrelenting pressure from both ends. But this Indian group is quite confident about handling short balls. I would still back the four-pronged pace attack with a spinner doing the holding job,” Cullinan said.
The South African, not surprisingly, named Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel as the fast bowlers who have to do the job for the visitors.
“It's got to come from Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel. Steyn, in the recent times, is a very flat starter in terms of wickets. Morkel, in those conditions, has to be very precise with his line and length as he can provide pace to the Indian batsmen. The Indians would love to face Vernon Philander on those wickets. I think he isn't fit enough to bowl long spells of late. Then, the spinners don't have a lot of experience. I don't think they are going to bowl India out,” he said.
Cullinan acknowledged that the Indian side also possess some good fast bowlers of their own and believes the likes of Ishant Sharma can trouble the South African batsmen.
“I don't think it will be easy for them as India have a decent pace attack now. They should have good Test wickets with something in it for the pacers and turn on the fourth day. If they can knock down two, three wickets with the new ball, it's going to be a tough task for South Africa to recover. If I'm in the South African side and I see flat tracks, I would be very happy,” Cullinan said.
Cullinan doesn’t rate Imran Tahir as world-class
Indian batting legends Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly had both singled out South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir as the man to watch out for India in the Test series. The 36-year-old is one of only six South African players to be named in all the three formats, but Cullinan doesn’t feel Tahir will be a threat in the Test format.
“We don't have proven world class spinner. (Imran) Tahir doesn't play too much Test cricket as he isn't good enough in that format. He is quite good in shorter formats because he doesn't have to deal with the pressure of bowling long spells. Then you have newcomers like Simon Harmer and Dane Piedt. They aren't going to bowl India out. For that to happen, India needs to play very badly,” Cullinan said.