India was unbeaten in the recently concluded 50-over World Cup until the final hurdle. Throughout their campaign, they looked a class apart from the other sides. Former South African captain Faf du Plessis said it is going to be a “breaking up with a girlfriend” and compared it to the Proteas’ 2015 campaign when they lost a nail-biter in the semifinal.
“I remember going through a similar experience as a cricketer when we went through the highs and lows of the 2015 World Cup. The heartache that you have to deal with takes a bit of time and it is a bit like breaking up with a girlfriend. You cannot just get over it straight away,”Faf du Plessis said on NDTV.
“The South African player also said India was amazing in the tournament. “They were unbelievable the way they went about their business. They will be feeling similarly and they will be heartbroken. That was their World Cup to win,” he said.
India will tour South Africa for a full-fledged series. The Men in Blue will start their campaign with a three-match T20I series in Durban on Sunday.
“That will take a bit of time and time heals everything. Your first series back feels like you are in the middle of nowhere. Obviously there are so quality players there and some experience players who I am sure will help manage the young guys well,” said Du Plessis.
Tour to South Africa has always been one of the difficult challenges for the Indian team over the years and it will be no different this time.
The Men in Blue will go in with three different captains for the tour. Suryakumar Yadav will captain the T20I side, followed by ODIs where KL Rahul will take the reins.
For the white ball leg, youngsters are being tested. However, for the red-ball games, the big guns will be back and Rohit Sharma will lead the side in a two-match series which is a part of the WTC cycle.
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