'Missed in 2018, but now...' - Sunil Gavaskar's blunt remarks on India's chances against SA in Test Series

Former legendary Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar recently came up with a big statement about the chances of India’s first-ever Test series win against South Africa in South Africa. Notably, Rohit Sharma’s men are set to take on the Proteas in the upcoming two-match Test series, starting on December 26 with the first Test in Centurion.

Notably, the Indian team of Sunil Gavaskar’s era couldn’t travel to South Africa because of the ban on the rainbow nation from international cricket. Apart from that, India have played a total of 8 Test series in South Africa and they have never won against the hosts at the South African grounds. 

Here's what Sunil Gavaskar said on possibilities for India 

In the same line of events, Gavaskar spoke about India’s possibilities of finally crossing this SA barrier in the upcoming two-match Test series and winning their first-ever Test series in the rainbow nation.

“Absolutely. Look at South Africa, they are without two of their best bowlers. No Nortje, no Rabada. Now this means that the Indian batting line-up can, if they play sensibly, they should be able to put up 400, 400-plus scores without too much of an issue. Yes, initially, it will be a little bit tough while the ball is shiny red and with the bounce. But that's what Test cricket is all about. That's why you've got five days. They need to bat well. If they keep scoring 300 and 500, they will give their bowlers enough of an opportunity to be able to knock the South Africans in both the innings,” said Gavaskar on Star Sports.

“I think this is probably the best opportunity. 2018 was where I thought they should be winning. They really should have won in 2018. They had the best lineup not so much two years ago, but 2018 was where they missed out on big time on winning the series,” he added later.

Currently, South Africa and India are in action against each other in the ongoing three-match ODI series.