India vs South Africa 2017-18: No special attention on Virat Kohli, assures Vernon Philander

Virat Kohli maybe the most valued cricketer around the world, but South Africa have played down the threat posed by the Indian skipper. Vernon Philander on Wednesday warned India of the challenges that lie ahead in South Africa and made a statement by saying that the side’s focus is on “playing with bat and ball, not any names.”

On South Africa’s 0-3 drubbing in India in 2015-16

Add Cricket Country as a Preferred Source

Philander confirmed that the conditions in India were far different to the ones in South Africa.

“They have played most of their games at home so it will be interesting to see how they go over here in South Africa. It’s a total different ball game over here in South Africa so we’ll have to wait and see.

“We want to play our best cricket. 2015 was quite a different one going there and losing to them, but we want to make sure that we deliver at home on our own soil,” Philander told reporters.

Indians have landed in South Africa with probably their best bowling attack and are eyeing their first series win in South Africa.

The Kohli threat

Kohli has scored 5,268 runs in Tests at 53.75. He has played 2 Tests in South Africa and averages 68 in the Rainbow nation. However, Philander does not seem to be too perturbed with the Kohli threat.

“We are going to play bat and ball, not any names. We are going to have to have to get Virat out, as we do nine or 10 other Indian batters as well. We’ve put our prize on bowling them out twice and not focusing on who we are bowling against,” he concluded.

The first Test begins at Cape Town on Friday.