After Wanderers, Du Plessis expects India to come in hard in ODIS too

DURBAN:WHILE the Test series has taken plenty out of South Africa and Faf du Plessis made no bones about it, the skipper has another headache – that of playing XIS that may not be the best but certainly important from the point of view of preparing for the 2019 World Cup.

“I think our mindset has changed, we have always been focused on the now. When you get to the big tournament, that becomes your focus as well. I feel this is the first time when we have taken a small step into the now and bigger step into the future where we are trying to see. This is the first time every conversation we have as selection panel, captain or coach, see how we could have a look at more players,” he said ahead of the ODI series.

South Africa have never won a World Cup, so it is understandable that they are changing their policy and wanting to blood in youngsters like Khaya Zondo with an eye on the World Cup.

Asked if he was feeling relieved, the South Africa skipper said it was far from it. “I don’t feel relaxed, look its back to oneday cricket from Test cricket, so the guys wanted to step up their intensity a little bit.”

The players are tired and with not much time between games as they criss-cross the country, recovery will have to be quick.

Du Plessis said while teams visiting the country have found it tough to win games, the current Indian team has players who can change the record.

“There is something that is difficult for touring teams to come here and get accustomed to. As I mentioned before the Test series, this Indian team has got the names on paper to challenge that and get some victories in South Africa. They proved that in the Tests, I expect the same in ODIS.”