Talking points ahead of the four-Test series between India and South Africa which opens in Mohali on Thursday:
South Africa, at home, everywhere
- It is said a great cricket team is one which wins consistently away from home. A major limited-overs title may have eluded South Africa, but they are the world's top-ranked Test side for a reason. The Proteas have not lost an overseas series since 2006, an amazing record that highlights their all-round strengths. South Africa are seeking their first series win on Indian soil in 15 years, having drawn 1-1 on their last two tours in 2008 and 2010.
Must India fear Hashim Amla?
- One of the finest batsmen of his generation, South Africa's Test captain Hashim Amla is going through an unusually long lean patch. He scored just 89 runs in the preceding five-match one-day series at an average of 17.80. But India will underestimate Amla at their peril. In six previous Tests on Indian soil, Amla scored 823 runs at an average of 102.87 with four centuries. Class will always tell.
Can de Villiers be stopped?
- Unusually for a visiting player, AB de Villiers received warm applause from Indian fans whenever he came to the crease on the current tour. The Proteas star is one of the most popular foreign cricketers in India, thanks mainly to his appearances in the Indian Premier League. It is obvious he revels in Indian conditions too. He hit three centuries in the one-day series and followed that with 112 in a practice match in Mumbai ahead of the first Test.
Home at last!
- Having been battered and bruised on overseas tours in recent years, India will welcome the chance to play Test cricket at home after two years. The Indians have an impressive record on home soil where they have lost just one of their last 17 series, against Alastair Cook's England in 2012. Of the four series that were drawn, two were identical 1-1 results against South Africa in 2008 and 2010.
To spin or not to spin - India's pitch battle
- India's limited-overs captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni often stressed the need to have home advantage. In other words, slow turning wickets that aid India's spin bowlers. Team director Ravi Shastri was angry at being presented a run-laden pitch for the deciding one-dayer in Mumbai where South Africa won by 214 runs after piling up a massive 438-4. Instructions have gone out to groundsmen to follow the diktat and prepare pitches that suit the home team. – AFP