Indians will fare better this time, say cricket fans

South African Indian cricket fans feel India will fare better in their current tour that starts here next week, but their hearts still lie with South Africa.

"I hope they do better than the last time. They look more confident after beating the Aussies, so I'm sure they will put up a better performance," Solly Mangera, who coaches at a cricket club in Lenasia, a large Indian township south of Johannesburg, said at a reception Indian envoy Shiv Shankar Mukherjee hosted for the team.

Mangera is hoping to be present at as many of the matches as he can as the Indian side takes on South Africa in a Test series and the home team and Kenya in a triangular one-day series. He will be watching for his hero, Sachin Tendulkar, whom he regards as the finest batsman today.

"I hope they (India) play a good game, but I also hope that South Africa wins," said leading businessman and former politician Jay Naidoo.

Sachin is also Naidoo's favourite player. "He's been such a strong player and so consistent that one hopes that he is in the form to play here as he has played in the past, which will make the match much more interesting from an enthusiast point of view of the public," he said.

Hoosen Ayob, who works across Africa in the development programme of the International Cricket Council (ICC), felt that while India would be prepared for the current series, "I think that South Africa has an edge on them because they are just peaking".

"If you look at what South Africa did in Zimbabwe although the wickets were flat, the first five South African batsmen were world class...South Africa is a bit thin on the bowling side, but still I feel it's going to be a very good contest," he said.

"Let's hope they (India) give South Africa a good contest so that South Africa is prepared for the Australians (coming here after the Indian tour)," Ayob added.

"I normally support the opposition, but I think South Africa will win this tour," Ayob said. "I've seen India play in Kenya, and I think they are going to struggle against the bouncing ball and the swinging ball. The wickets are hard, they don't keep the ball low because the Indians love low-pitched balls, and I still feel South Africa will win."

Radio presenter Vikash Mathura also favoured the South Africans, but gave the Indian side some credit. "They have failed twice before here, but the Indian team can never be underestimated, as most teams from the Asian subcontinent are," he said.

"I think Sachin Tendulkar is now back in the team after his niggling injuries and that's going to add to their batting line-up. I think we're in for some good spectatorship, but my heart is still with South Africa, of course," he added.

"I think they (the Indians) have a very talented and young side and I think they are going to give the South Africans a real showdown here," said television producer Ron Moodley.

"We're in for some exciting cricket. Looking at all the star cricketers that are here, I think they are going to win the tour," he said.

--Indo-Asian News Service

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