Fanie de Villiers says SA will struggle in Indian conditions

In the 1990s, when South Africa were establishing themselves as one of the top teams in the world, Fanie de Villiers was an integral part of that unit. He had probably the best off cutters in the business and even the likes of Sachin Tendulkar had problems encountering de Villiers' well-disguised slower ones. In his short career, de Villiers made a name for himself in world cricket as a formidable paceman. He has toured the subcontinent quite a few times and knows India isn't an easy place to tour. The 50-year-old shared his views about South Africa's upcoming tour of India with TOI in an exclusive interview from Centurion. Excerpts from an interview:

As a fast bowler, how do you compare Indian and South African batting line-up?

I am really worried about difficulties our batsmen are going to face in India and the expertise Indian batsmen have got in those conditions. Had it been in South Africa, I would have been confidently said Indian have got only 10 percent chance of winning. However, in your country and in those conditions, India have 80% chance of winning even if they play normal cricket. They have a serious batting line-up in those conditions and South Africa have their task cut out. Dale Steyn is very effective in all conditions but he is not going to take all the wickets. Of late, Vernon Philander isn't as consistent as he was, he isn't as good as he was. We have got four spinners, which I feel will be more effective in backing Steyn and Morne Morkel. However, Indian batting line-up is far better than South Africa. I think we have got three batsmen in top 45, while India have got four to five.

How do you compare this South African line-up with those of yesteryears where they had solid lower middle order with the likes of Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener, Mark Boucher or even Pat Symcox?

We have a long tail now. Philander and Harmer can bat a bit but they aren't in an allrounder's league. I am not too sure about Morkel and rest of the lower order how effective they can be against Indian spinners. Morkel has got serious pace so I am hoping he will make it up for those runs. I am more worried about India's spinners. They have got seriously good record in India. So the top and middle order batsmen have to make sure if they get the start, they make it count and go on to make big ones.

What are your thoughts on new wicketkeeper Dane Villas?

I don't know much about him. I don't think he is as good as AB or Quinton de Kock. If your wicketkeeper can bat in the top six, it's hell of an advantage. I am not too sure whether Vilas can perform that role so early in his career.

What's the key to success for fast bowlers in India?

It's always difficult for the fast bowlers there. India isn't like a place where you win the toss and throw the new ball to your fast bowlers. Not many fast bowlers have good records in India. It's really hard work and you got to use them sparingly. We don't have quality spinners who can wreck the middle order and give the chance to fast bowlers to run over the tail. I think it's a grey area for me. The conditions in India have always favored batsmen and spinners. I think the key to any visiting team in India is to have a quality spinner who can knock the middle order out.

Of late, the spinners have troubled India like Graeme Swann, Monty Panesar, Moeen Ali, Nathan Lyon and Rangana Herath. Would that excite South African spinners?

I don't think our spinners are the best in the world, which rankings show clearly. I think Imran Tahir and Harmer will have to lift their games to trouble the Indians as they play spin day in and day out. I hope they surprise the Indian batting line-up and all of us and play a big role.

Another grey area for South Africa is the opening combination. Traditionally, South Africa have been blessed with some world class openers like Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs and Graeme Smith...

Yeah, I am worried about the opening combination. Dean Elgar has just started his career. It's important to have sound starts in the subcontinent so that the middle order can put pressure on spinners. If they don't give good starts, it will put pressure on the likes of Amla, AB, Faf du Plessis and JP Duminy, who are key players. Look, the new guys will take some time to settle down. They aren't going to become Kirsten, Gibbs or Smith overnight but if they survive the first twenty overs, they can take huge pressure off the middle order. Problem for South Africa is that there are too many guys trying to cement their places...openers, wicketkeeper and spinners. It's not an ideal thing when you tour places like India.

What's your thought on India's performance overseas in the last two years?

I don't think they have mastered the conditions where the ball swings and bowlers get more bounce. You can't just say they have shown promise. The fact is they still haven't won in those conditions. Same thing can be said about South Africa. It's been along time since we haven't beaten Indian in India. Both teams have struggled in each other's backyard. The series between India and South Africa should be three Tests each in India and South Africa and that will give a fair reflection.

It's a long series. Do you think there will be injury worries and other factors for South Africa?

It's part and parcel when you play professional cricket. I don't think batting side will get much affected but energy wise, in these conditions, bowlers might get affected but I am sure they would have prepared well to tackle that. That's what professional cricket is all about. In the later part of the tour, their family might also visit so that will refresh them a bit.