India have great chance of winning in SA: Dravid

Former India captain Rahul Dravid feels the Virat Kohli-led team has a "great chance" of winning a maiden Test series in South Africa next month given the depth of talent in the side.

Dravid, while speaking to PTI, said the current Indian team has all bases covered for the three-match series in South Africa starting with the first Test in Cape Town from January 5. However, the number one Test team, which has won a record nine series in a row, has only one warm-up fixture before the series-opener.

"I think we have a great chance this time looking at the depth of the current side," Dravid told PTI on Thursday.

"We have got some quality quicks, we have the opportunity of playing the all-rounder (Hardik Pandya) if we need to. We have got quality spinners in Jadeja and Ashwin.

"What also excites me is that all our batsmen have been to South Africa before and they have the experience of 40-50 Tests.

"Having said that, you do need a bit of luck in those conditions, bit of rub of the green. If we get that, I am very confident about our chances," said Dravid, who is currently coaching the U-19 and India A sides.

India have been playing non-stop cricket since the Champions Trophy and none other than Kohli has complained of not getting enough time to prepare for the South Africa tour due to the ongoing full series against Sri Lanka getting over only on December 24.

Dravid said it will be good to take the extra load off the players' shoulders.

"Some years are tough (schedule wise) for the team and some are not. There is a lot of pressure on players but that is same for all teams. But it will be nice if we can balance the schedule though it is not an easy job."

It was a collective decision by Dravid and selectors to make batting sensation Prithvi Shaw play the Ranji Trophy than the Asia Cup. India did not do well in the tournament but the 18-year-old has been sublime so far in the season with three centuries.

"We took a decision, a right decision that the boys who are playing Ranji Trophy should be allowed to play that. With U-19, what we are trying to move the players from junior level to the Ranji level and then hopefully the Indian team," said Dravid defending the decision to exclude Shaw from the Asia Cup squad.

"The faster they get the opportunity, that is the real goal. Nothing would make me happier if they go on to play for India A."

Shaw will be back to lead India in the U-19 World Cup next month.