Dean Elgar Praises ‘World-Class’ Jasprit Bumrah

South Africa skipper Dean Elgar deems the Indian pace attack has developed greatly, mainly overseas, and Jasprit Bumrah is the best set to control the “spicy” conditions in the rainbow country.

India, who yielded the series 1-2 back in 2018, are primary for their first Test series victory in South Africa. The hosts also lack knowledge with the players like AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn, Faf Du Plessis, Hashim Amla, and Vernon Philander, who were all a member of the 2018 series victory, retired from the game.

South Africa skipper Dean Elgar calls Bumrah “world-class” onwards of the Boxing Day Test which starts on December 26.

“He (Bumrah) is a world-class bowler. If there is one bowler who can exploit South African conditions pretty well, it would be him. But again, we don’t focus on one guy. India as a whole is a pretty, pretty good side. They’ve been a pretty good side for the last two to three years and have toured very well of late,” said Elgar during a virtual press conference on Tuesday.

Proteas captain reserved a high compliment for India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin too.

“I do not think Ravichandran Ashwin has had much success in South Africa which is okay for us. You cannot really compare to the success he has had against our batters in India because conditions are so different. India is a good side, they tick all the boxes. Ashwin is a quality bowler, probably one of the best off-spinners India have ever produced. We will be mindful of that, it will be a challenge to compete against them,” he added.

“We know it will be tough but it will be tough for the India batters to face our attack as well. I rather be sitting here than possibly sitting in the Indian dressing room knowing they have to face our bowlers,” he added.