'As long as the guys understand the way that we want to try play as a team and can keep that close to them when playing in different leagues and tournaments. Then hopefully by the time we meet up for the World Cup, the guys are used to that brand and how we want to operate as a team.'
The 'Umpire's Call' handed South Africa's Tabraiz Shamsi the much-needed lifeline by the barest of margins, which somewhat proved to be the decisive factor in the World Cup encounter against Pakistan in Chennai on Friday.
Similarities between Eden Gardens 2010 and Lord's 2008 are remarkable. On the latter occasion, South Africa closed the third day on 13/0 in 4 overs and needed a further 342 to make England bat again. This time South Africa are 6/0 and need a further 341 runs to make India bat again.
Former South African batting legend Barry Richards has slammed the 'ball tampering' rule, saying "ban on use of things like bottle-tops scratching the ball" can be understood but "using the ground is a different issue."
The situation in fact is not that worrying for Thursday and IMD regional director Ganesh Das said the rain is expected to be "light and moderate".
Indian team will certainly feel a sense of deja vu when it takes on a red-hot South Africa on Sunday in what will be a battle of equals
Kagiso Rabada's hunger for success and an impeccable technique to release the ball easily makes him a modern-day South Africa legend, reckons former fast bowling great Allan Donald.
South Africa's bowlers chipped away at the wickets to stay on course for a huge victory against New Zealand.
Matthew Short has also been called up as an extra batter while Travis Head recovers from a fracture to his left hand.
'It turned out to be a special day. I have never thought about taking five wickets. I just wanted the team to win which is more important.'
Suryakumar Yadav slammed a century while Kuldeep Yadav claimed five wickets as India crushed South Africa by 106 runs to level the three-match T20I series 1-1.
'We didn't bat well in both innings, that's why we stand here.'
Jacques Kallis remarked that the Proteas players should stick to their roles during the ICC Cricket World Cup in India
We need to use Powerplay more effectively: Suryakumar Yadav
South Africa have rested batter Temba Bavuma for their home white-ball series against India this month after a poor Cricket World Cup, but he will captain the team in the two-Test series which starts on Dec. 26.
India started well as opener Shikhar Dhawan scored 79 from 84 balls and former captain Virat Kohli 51 from 63, but when they were dismissed the touring side struggled to keep up with the required run-rate and finished on 265 for eight.
Pakistan needs to win all its matches and expect Australia to falter in at least two of their remaining four games.
South Africa have had well documented troubles against spin in the past and Rahul believes the returning Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal will be a handful for the hosts in the first two games, with the third to be staged at Newlands in Cape Town on Sunday.
Kagiso Rabada proved the destroyer-in-chief with 4-103, assisted by Anrich Nortje who took three wickets for 56 runs as England fell short by 107 runs.
The three-Test South Africa series is the first of a gruelling 2018-19 season that includes tours to England and Australia.
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma wanted a clinical performance from his bowlers after posting the highest total in World Cup history of 428/5 against Sri Lanka in their tournament-opener, adding that he was satisfied with individual achievements of his players.
Bruised and battered by Chris Gayle's mauling on Wednesday, England are faced with a must-win situation as they look for ways to contain South Africa in their ICC World Twenty20 match in Mumbai on Friday.
David Bedingham said it is a dream to score a hundred in front of friends and family as he owes them a lot.
Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane were part of India's Test team till earlier this year, but were left out of the tour to South Africa, the selectors pinning hopes on youngsters Shubman Gill and Yashawi Jaiswal to produce the goods in challenging conditions.
South Africa have an aching relationship with World Cup semi-finals, dating back to 1992. AB de Villiers had a close encounter with heartbreak in 2015. Now, he is hopeful that the current team will finally absolve his country of all the past pain.
Quinton de Kock smashed 174 off 140 balls, his third century in five innings, to power South Africa to a 149-run victory against Bangladesh.
India's next match is against South Africa and Rohit said his team is ready for the in-form Proteas.
The disappointment at home generated by South Africa's failure to win the first Test against Australia showed how much "respect" the team had won since attaining the top ranking, according to Proteas captain Graeme Smith.
In the current scenario, form in the IPL will carry a lot of weight for selection in the Indian team bound for USA and Caribbean.
The batters could be in for some challenging times with the Supersport Park track expected to aid the fast bowlers as rain threat looms large over the opening Test between India and South Africa, curator Bryan Bloy said on Saturday.
With nothing to lose on the eve of his final international outing, Dean Elgar didn't hold back while expressing his disgust about Cricket South Africa sending a third-string squad to New Zealand under an uncapped captain just because the series is coinciding with the cash-rich SA20.
South Africa's ODI and T20 skipper AB de Villiers has said the Proteas are relishing the opportunity of defending their World No.1 Test crown for the first time on Australian soil.
South African players are infuriated at being branded losers and chokers by one of their staff in a book that could shake their Australian tour.
Skipper Graeme Smith thinks South Africa's Test series win in Australia four years ago was a key step on their rise to the number one ranking and another good showing over the next month could be just as important.
South Africa's pace duo Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala have been ruled out of the World Cup because of injuries, Cricket South Africa confirmed on Thursday.
The Netherlands caused the World Cup's second major upset in three days, as it shocked an in-form South Africa by 38 runs.
Former Cricket South Africa president Dr Ali Bacher is not pleased that India, Australia and England are "marginalising" other boards to enjoy complete hegemony.
Sri Lanka will arrive in South Africa on Saturday, with the first Test in Pretoria starting on Boxing Day. The second will be in Johannesburg from January 3.
South Africa won their T20 series against world champions West Indies and Ireland, and will once again be captained by Temba Bavuma in both formats.
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