India vs South Africa: Faf Du Plessis Feels Conditions in Dharamsala Will Suit Proteas Better
Faf Du Plessis, South Africa's T20I captain, says he was surprised to find their first match of the long India tour was in Dharamsala, where conditions would help the visitors' seam bowlers.
Surprised that his team will open its campaign against India in the cooler confines of the picturesque Dharamsala, South Africa's T20I captain Faf du Plessis said the venue will be more conducive for his seam bowlers. (Proteas aim for good start to the tour)
Having landed in the heat and humidity of Delhi, it will be a welcome change for Du Plessis and his boys as the temperature would be around 18-20 degree celsius in the evening during their inaugural T20 match.
"Yeah, I will be honest that I was quite surprised when I heard that we will be playing in Dharamsala first," Du Plessis said on Monday.
Having played for Chennai Super Kings against Kings XI Punjab at the venue, Du Plessis is happy that conditions will help his pacers.
"The great thing about T20 is that you will get to play at different venues. Dharamsala has a nice wicket with good pace and bounce. We would be looking to use those conditions with our quick bowlers," the South African T20 skipper said.
For Du Plessis, the split captaincy with Hashim Amla in Tests and AB de Villiers in ODIs is "working beautifully" for the team.
"I think it is working beautifully. Probably, the question mark was there from the management point of view. It is working great at the moment. Someone like AB with a lot on his plate can sit back and enjoy during T20Is. That enables him to always remain in fresh mind. Hashim, as the Test captain, has extra responsibility and in T20Is, he gives that over to me," Du Plessis tried to explain the philosophy.
For Du Plessis, there has been no clash of ideas or perspective with the other two leaders.
"There has not been one instance that one has had different perspective. We have worked together and continue to learn from each other."
On a personal front, the dashing right-hander's injured knee is healing well as he also had a net session. "My knee is looking good. I am very excited to be playing again. It was unfortunate that I missed the series against New Zealand."
For Du Plessis, the biggest challenge is to be ready for the first game of a 72-day long tour.
"The challenge for a long tour is spending too much time -- 72 days. Relying on guys what they need to do to be ready for first game."