Cricket enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the upcoming multi-format series between India and South Africa, set to commence after India’s ongoing T20I series against Australia. However, former South African batting maestro AB de Villiers has expressed his frustration with the scheduling of just two Test matches between the two cricketing powerhouses, believing that it falls short in doing justice to the historic rivalry they share.
The series will feature three T20Is, three ODIs, and only two Test matches, leaving de Villiers yearning for a more extensive contest between the two nations. In a video on his YouTube channel, the 39-year-old voiced his discontent, pointing out that India often plays three to four Tests per series when hosting teams like South Africa.
AB De Villiers highlighted the rich history and intense rivalry that India and South Africa have shared on the cricketing stage. The former Proteas batter emphasized the mutual fondness the players from both nations have for competing in each other’s conditions. However, he lamented that restricting the Test series to just two matches falls short of capturing the essence and depth of the cricketing battle these teams bring to the table.
The South African legend expressed his frustration, stating, “It is frustrating (2 tests) from a South African point of view. India gets their share of 3–4 tests per series when they play in India. India, Australia, and England get these Test matches. It is a shame because these two teams have a great rivalry and have such a great history. Indian players love coming to South Africa. Two Tests does not do justice to the rivalry.”
In addition to advocating for a more comprehensive Test series, de Villiers also shared his insights into the kind of pitches that he believes would give South Africa the best chance of success against the formidable Indian team. According to him, pitches with pace and bounce would be crucial factors favoring the Proteas.
“If I had been in the SA camp, I would have asked for wickets with pace and bounce. These are the two things that will help South Africa beat India. Not so much seam movement, as the Indian pacers can also extract that. The Indian squad has a bit more class and are hungrier to win it here, while South Africa have the conditions in their favor,” Ab de Villiers explained.
