Indian cricket manager Chandu Borde said here on Saturday that the team had to bowl well to clinch the series against South Africa.
"We have bowl well in the last match. Our new-ball bowlers have bowled very well and we have to repeat it if we have to beat them. They are very strong side and will be keen to bag the series.
Good sides are always motivated before a crucial match. We have to be on our toes," Borde said.
The former chairman of national selectors stressed on the importance of putting up a good total in the event of India batting first for the bowlers to defend. "We should not forget that they are the second best side in the world and they also are a very good bowling side. We have to make a good total and for that, we need a good start to the innings from Tendulkar and Ganguly; as well as some other contributions,” he said.
Praise for Sachin
The former Indian all-rounder had a word of praise for Sachin Tendulkar, who had reached 15,000 one-day runs en route to his 93 on Friday.
"Over the years, he has made a lot of significant contributions to Indian cricket. He is one of the all-time great batsmen we have produced and more importantly, he is a great human being as well. He is an ideal role model for the younger generation and aspiring cricketers," he said.
The Indian team celebrated Tendulkar reaching the milestone in a simple but warm function.
They cut a cake in the hotel room and Borde made a small speech in the honour of Tendulkar as the master batsman savoured the occasion.
Skipper Rahul Dravid said India would have to come out all guns blazing. “Obviously, we cannot take this match lightly just because we won the last match.
“We need to keep ourselves at our best on a consistent basis to beat a side like South Africa," Dravid said.
"If we do the right things like we did for most part of the last match, there is every chance of us emerging winners.”
Banking on youth
South African skipper Jacques Kallis said he was banking on the youngsters to come good one more time. "This is a good opportunity for them. We have a crucial game, it’s a chance for them to prove that they can do it in pressure games. It is not to say that the seniors have less responsibility, but the performance of the youngsters will be keenly watched," he said.