Lance Klusener: MS Dhoni the best all-rounder in recent years

Former South African allrounder Lance Klusener enjoys a strong India connection. Having made a successful Test debut at the Eden Gardens in 1996 - bagging ca reer-best figures of 8-64 in the second innings of that match, Klusener has more than a fair idea of what it takes to taste success in India. In a chat with TOI on Tuesday , the 44-year-old spoke on South Africa's upcoming tour of India and why seam bowling remains the Proteas' most lethal weapon. Excerpts:

Do you recall your Test debut at Eden Gardens?(laughs): It was a long time ago, but yes it was great fun to be able to contribute to South Africa's win in that Test. I remember Mohammed Azharuddin batting well but we came back well to triumph in that Test.

What are your thoughts on the South Africa squad picked for the India tour?It's probably the best combination we could put together. This squad has quite a few players who have the experience of playing in India, be it in earlier tours or the IPL.

How crucial will South Africa's seam attack be in conditions that have traditionally known to assist spin bowling?We possess a good solid seam bowling attack with the likes of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander who have done well on practically all conditions in recent years. Steyn and Morkel have been to India many times before and know the conditions well. That for me is quite important. Wickets in India offer substantial assistance to spin, but I would like to believe that seam bowling is our strength and should win us games in India.

The wickets there offer some help upfront for the quicks and if our seam bowlers manage to create breakthroughs, then it could put us in a comfortable position. From my experience of having played there before our seam bowling attack is what will deliver the goods there.

How do you look at this South Africa team without the illustrious Jacques Kallis featuring in it?Look, you would never get a player of the quality of Kallis. He would definitely leave a huge void, but that's how teams have evolved. It gives opportunity for others to showcase their skill and talent, but yes players of Kallis' quality don't come often. I hope during this series we find some young and exciting all-rounders who are as good as Jacques Kallis.

Are we seeing a genuine dearth of quality all-rounders like Kallis in world cricket today?They (all-rounders) are there but they haven't quite proved themselves over the years. We have been lucky that we have had the likes of Kallis and Shaun Pollock. I also feel wicketkeeper batsmen are genuine all-rounders in their own right. The likes of MS Dhoni, Adam Gilchrist are invaluable. The best all-rounder in world cricket in the last few years for me has to be MS Dhoni.

Your take on the current Indian Test team under Virat Kohli?He was refreshing during the series against Sri Lanka. He led from the front and that's what you want your captain to do all the time. As a batsman, he is one of the best in the world. I am certain the South African team management is going to have him in mind when planning their attack. India is lucky to have someone like Kohli coming through the ranks and doing so well over the years.

The Indian bowling attack seems to have developed its fair share of pacers in Ishant Sharma, Varun Aaron, Umesh Yadav. How would you rate them?They are looking solid and have tasted success of late. Even though the Indian seam bowling attack has been successful in the recent past but I would still like to believe that the South African (seam bowling) attack does have a lot of experience and should hold the edge.

South Africa didn't lose the Test series the last two occasions they toured India. You reckon the record will be intact?As a South Africa supporter, I would like to think so. I think the entire series (Tests, ODIs and T20s) will be closely fought. I believe the contest will be between India's spinners and our batsmen and South Africa's seam bowlers versus India's batsmen.