India chase a 'final frontier', aim to win in South Africa

Visiting batters face a huge challenge against Proteas pacers in the two Tests starting today

- Somshuvra Laha 

It must sting not winning a Test series in South Africa when England, Australia, and more recently Sri Lanka, have ticked that box. The closest India ran South Africa was in 2010-11 when they drew 1-1, and that's still a grossly inaccurate appraisal considering how close the last two tours looked.

Two aspects have been key to the mediocre returns in South Africa; the batters average 22.45 runs per wicket (SA avg 27.93) and spinners have hardly played a role. In the last three tours, they have taken only 16 wickets (avg 43.81), making South Africa a graveyard for spinners.

This is where South Africa stands apart from Australia spinners love the even bounce and look to exploit the cracks and England, where pitches can be flat and slow. South Africa rarely offers either, definitely not at Centurion where rain is expected to play spoilsport on the first two days.

It's against this backdrop that India are preparing to have another crack at solving the South Africa code. "These are very important matches in terms of where we stand as a team.

Also, to look back, we have never won a series here as well. It's a big opportunity for us to do well here," said India captain Rohit Sharma at the pre-match press conference on Monday.