SA vs IND: Dean Elgar wary of India's strength but optimistic about his team's chances

South Africa will take on India in the three-match Test series starting on December 26 in Centurion. Ahead of a fascinating contest, off-field controversies have hogged the majority of limelight. The hosts have been hit hard by racial accusations from some of their former cricketers.

Director of cricket, Graeme Smith and head coach Mark Boucher are among several CSA employees whose names have been implicated in tentative findings made by the Social Justice and Nation Building Ombudsman. Dean Elgar, who was entrusted to lead the Test team earlier this year, has seen it all in his short captaincy stint. However, the seasoned campaigner is keen on doing well against a tough Indian side.

“What happens off the field for me is irrelevant now,” Elgar told reporters on Tuesday, according to Dawn. “As a playing unit, we have been through such crappy times that we have formulated such a good bond within our group.

“It’s not ideal to have these headlines coming up, we just want to focus on our cricket, playing a really tough series against India.”

Elgar admitted that beating the Indian team will not be easy but said that his side has put in a good amount of preparation to tackle the challenges posed by the visitors. The South African skipper also acknowledged that Anrich Nortje’s unavailable due to injury is a big blow. However, the southpaw has backed the rest of the bowlers to come good.

“We know that it’s going to be tough but we know that it’s going to be tough for the Indian batters to face our bowlers. I’d rather be sitting here knowing that than sitting in the Indian dressing room knowing they have to face our fast bowlers.”