Jan. 1: India were in the same situation four years ago when they came to Cape Town with the series level one-all. Under Rahul Dravid’s leadership, they had won the first Test against South Africa in Johannesburg before losing in Durban. In the final game, the visitors took a lead of over 40 runs against Graeme Smith’s men in the first innings, but still ended up losing by five wickets.
India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni felt this time India could make history. “The dressing room is much better now,” he said. “It doesn’t mean that it was bad four years ago but I can say this is the best dressing room that I have felt in the last five years. Most of the guys have achieved a lot in their long Test careers,” he said. “They enjoy their cricket and they enjoy each and every practice session. It feels a very complete dressing room, a very happy dressing room. A lot of credit must go to everyone, including each and every one of the support staff.”
It is India’s fifth Test tour of South Africa and Dhoni acknowledged: “It’s a chance to create history. We did that when we won the first Test in Johannesburg in (December) 2006 when we won in South Africa for the first time. We have the talent and temperament to achieve success in South Africa, although I always say it’s not about the past, it’s all about the next five days.”
Dhoni said South Africa would be under some pressure. “They are feeling a bit of it because we are the home team and we won the last match.”