Ravi Shastri, the former head coach of the Indian cricket team, sees the ongoing Test series against South Africa as India’s best opportunity to secure a series victory in the Rainbow Nation. Shastri attributes this chance not necessarily to India having a superior team compared to the hosts but to the absence of Vernon Philander in the South African lineup.
According to Shastri, Philander’s absence levels the playing field and enhances India’s chances. While Shastri’s remarks carry a hint of humor, he also suggests that Philander’s presence in the past may have been a factor preventing India from clinching Test series victories in South Africa.
Ravi Shastri Optimistic About India’s Test Series Win
“This is India’s best chance, you know why? Because this bloke is not playing,” Shastri said, pointing towards Philander, who was standing beside the former India head coach during the pre-match show for Star Sports.
Philander boasts an outstanding record against India on home turf, having played five Tests against the touring Indian sides in 2013 and 2018—two in 2013 and three in 2018. The right-arm medium pacer, known for his prowess with the new ball, claimed a total of 25 wickets at an impressive average of 18 in those five Tests.
“We would have beaten South Africa at least twice when I came here but for this fellow. We’ve seen Rabada’s record, Ngidi’s record. Take a look at his record as well against India. He always gets the important wickets when we don’t want one to fall,” Shastri said.
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Notably, during Shastri’s tenure as head coach in 2018, India faced a 1-2 defeat in South Africa, with Philander emerging as one of the standout performers, securing 15 wickets. Philander later announced his retirement in 2019, concluding his Test career with 224 wickets at an impressive average of 22.
South Africa remains the only nation where India has not secured a Test series victory, having won only four Tests out of 23 attempts.
