<p>Before the first Test match between India and South Africa, head coach Rahul Dravid believes that his team has the bowling assault to take 20 wickets in the Proteas conditions. In their previous seven efforts, the Asian Giants have failed to win a Test series on Australian soil. When India last visited South Africa in 2021–2022, they won the first Test but lost the next two, which resulted in another series loss.</p>
<p><img decoding=”async” class=”alignnone wp-image-323773″ src=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/theindiaprint.com-rahul-dravid-is-confident-ahead-of-the-boxing-day-test-against-south-africa-saying-750×422.jpg” alt=”theindiaprint.com rahul dravid is confident ahead of the boxing day test against south africa saying” width=”1166″ height=”656″ title=”Rahul Dravid is confident ahead of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa, saying, "We can take 20 wickets." 3″ srcset=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/theindiaprint.com-rahul-dravid-is-confident-ahead-of-the-boxing-day-test-against-south-africa-saying-750×422.jpg 750w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/theindiaprint.com-rahul-dravid-is-confident-ahead-of-the-boxing-day-test-against-south-africa-saying-1024×576.jpg 1024w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/theindiaprint.com-rahul-dravid-is-confident-ahead-of-the-boxing-day-test-against-south-africa-saying-768×432.jpg 768w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/theindiaprint.com-rahul-dravid-is-confident-ahead-of-the-boxing-day-test-against-south-africa-saying-390×220.jpg 390w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/theindiaprint.com-rahul-dravid-is-confident-ahead-of-the-boxing-day-test-against-south-africa-saying-150×84.jpg 150w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/theindiaprint.com-rahul-dravid-is-confident-ahead-of-the-boxing-day-test-against-south-africa-saying.jpg 1200w” sizes=”(max-width: 1166px) 100vw, 1166px” /></p>
<p>Dravid said that while India had previously come close to ending the Proteas drought, they would need to exert more effort to cross the finish line this time.</p>
<p>“We’ve played some excellent cricket here and have come close a few times. Before the first Test at SuperSport Park began, Dravid spoke with Star Sports. “There have been just a few crucial moments where we haven’t been able to, maybe, get over the line, get the 34-40-50 runs that you probably need to be able to… to compete here.”</p>
<p>The legendary batsman said that the way the squad bowled during the last visit, which took place two years ago, would give them a lot of confidence. In that tour, India lost the three-match rubber after blowing a 1-0 lead.</p>
<p>“Having said that, we looked at a lot of things, and our bowling, which I felt we bowled really well in the last series, gives us a lot of confidence that we can use our attack to take 20 wickets here.”</p>
<p>“In these conditions, there are a lot of plays and misses. You want to be the one playing and missing, and hopefully, the opposition edging those same ones,” Dravid said. It seems to me that there is a little element of chance.</p>
<p>However, as long as you execute your skills flawlessly, make sure the ball is in the right place, a bat with the necessary discipline and patience, look to capitalize when the ball softens a little bit and you are ahead of the game, and acknowledge that you are never ‘in’ in these kinds of conditions in South Africa, well then.</p>
<p>“When batting on 34–40, you might think you are in, but if you can turn that into a much bigger score, that really makes a big difference.”</p>
<p>Small details like those are crucial to get right when playing a formidable side like South Africa, who are adept at playing in these kinds of situations. I’m hoping we can do it throughout the course of the next two Test matches.</p>
<p>Prasidh Krishna, a fast bowler, was chosen for the Boxing Day Test XI in the meanwhile. While praising the rookie, Dravid made clear that he lacked much first-class experience.</p>
<p>Prasadh has a bright future, but we must acknowledge that this is just his first Test match. For various reasons, he hasn’t got a lot of first-class cricket experience.</p>
<p>However, I’m hoping he enjoys himself and has a nice game. Giving someone a new hat is always such a special occasion.</p>
<p>After winning and drawing with the West Indies in June of this year, the Rohit Sharma-led Indian team is now atop the World Test Championship 2023–25 cycle points table.</p>
<p>However, this Test will serve as the host of South Africa’s first WTC cycle campaign opener.</p>
