South Africa Test captain Faf du Plessis feels that “big runs” on the board in the first innings will help his side pose a challenge for India in the third and final match of the ongoing Test series in Ranchi starting 19 October.
India, who have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, batted first in both the Test matches and piled up runs to put pressure on the South African batsmen.
India won the first match by 203 runs where they scored 502 for 7 in the first innings before the declaration, and in the second rubber, which India won by an innings and 137 runs, the Virat Kohli-led side posted a mammoth 601 for 5 before inviting South Africa to bat.
Du Plessis, who lost the toss on both the occasions, feels that it was the first innings total that affected his side the most.
“We need to put big runs on the board in the first innings,” said du Plessis while addressing a press conference on Thursday.
“When you get runs in the first innings anything from there is possible. For us first innings runs will be vital and then anything could happen in the second innings,” he added.
Underlining the importance of reverse swing, a thing which has already been stated by Kagiso Rabada, the Proteas skipper said, “It is really important that you prepare as much as you can and make it as tough as possible.”
“I think wicket will spin, I looked at the pitch and it looks dry and hard. So I think reverse swing and spin will play a factor in this Test match,” he added.