Mohali: Despite losing the limited-overs series against South Africa, team director Ravi Shastri has insisted that India won't feel intimidated by the top-ranked Test side which have remained unbeaten in away series for the past nine years.
"We will play positive cricket and we will look to play to win. We will not be intimidated by the opposition or their rankings," Shastri said during a press conference ahead of the first Test on Thursday in Mohali.
Shastri emphasized that the pressure will rather be on the tourists as they will look continue their amazing nine-year unbeaten run in away Test series. South Africa have not lost a series awayfrom home since Ashwell Prince's team suffered a 2-0 defeat in Sri Lanka in 2006.
"I don't think. In fact I will look at it other way. I will put it right back on South Africa," Shastri replied when asked whether India will be under pressure going into the longest format of the game.
"South Africa have been unbeaten in nine years and India has the great opportunity to upstage them and do something special. If India beat South Africa they will go up two or three places up in the Test rankings. I see a huge positive can happen for India if they play to their potential."
Commenting on the bowling combination, the former cricketer said, "The way we want to play over the next four or five years is you play every game where you look to take it forward and win the series whether it is at home or overseas. You need to take 20 wickets to achieve that. We will decide about the bowling combination once we see the pitch."
