Speaking ahead of the series, the SA20 League Commissioner said both teams will be wary of losing early wickets to fast bowlers, as it could tilt the contest before spin even becomes a factor.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think it's never at the forefront of people's conversation when you play cricket in the subcontinent, but I think the South African team will definitely be preparing for how they're going to handle spin,\u201d Smith said. \u201cBut getting off to a solid start, having a top three that can lay a platform for you \u2014 there's nothing worse than if you go two or three down and then the spinners come on and you're against the game already.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSo countering Bumrah upfront is going to be a big thing, and (Kagiso) Rabada as well for India. They're world-class bowlers with world-class Test records,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Smith, who led South Africa to a Test series win in India in 2000, said it would be particularly crucial for Kagiso Rabada to set the tone with the new ball. \u201cThis is a big challenge for KG...coming to the subcontinent. He's definitely the leader of the attack, and how he can set the tone with that new ball is going to be important for Temba (Bavuma) and the team,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He urged South Africa\u2019s batting unit to step up in the first Test, noting that comebacks are tough in Indian conditions. \u201cThe fact that a lot of the players with the A-team games and obviously that Pakistan Test series have a bit of cricket in the subcontinent, which is always important. Your game needs to adapt, your thinking needs to adapt,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI'm hoping that with the first Test in Kolkata, it's generally quite a good place to bat. You get good value for runs and it's a stadium that \u2014 especially if it's full \u2014 will really make the South Africans motivated to do well in,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Smith said South Africa\u2019s spin duo of Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer could prove dangerous, but how the pacers handle reverse swing will be equally important.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSouth Africa have arrived here with a decent bowling attack, especially in the spin department. Maharaj and Harmer can definitely do the damage,\u201d he said. \u201cThey can control the game and they have the ability to turn the ball, which gives wicket-taking options with spin \u2014 and then to see how Rabada and the likes handle reverse swing.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The former skipper also shared a light-hearted moment when asked about his ex-teammate Morne Morkel, who is now part of India\u2019s coaching setup. \u201cYou know, he's an enemy now. Morne is on the wrong side of the fence,\u201d Smith joked.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Backing Smith\u2019s assessment, former captain Faf du Plessis emphasised that starting well would be vital for the Proteas. \u201cI feel generally your best chance of having success here is when you start the series well and you, especially as a batting unit, get a bit of confidence that you've got runs under the belt,\u201d du Plessis said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The former skipper also shared a light-hearted moment when asked about his ex-teammate Morne Morkel, who is now part of India\u2019s coaching setup. \u201cYou know, he's an enemy now. Morne is on the wrong side of the fence,\u201d Smith joked.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Du Plessis, however, expressed confidence in South Africa\u2019s recent Test form. \u201cThe guys have played really well in the subcontinent for the last 12 or 14 months. When they've gone to Pakistan, they've played well,\u201d he said. \u201cI'm expecting the wickets to be very much suited for turning conditions. But it seems like the guys have really worked hard on it.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n