South Africa Test skipper Dean Elgar on Tuesday said that Indian bowler Ravichandran Ashwin is one of the best off-spinners in the world and they will be mindful of that in the upcoming three-match Test series starting on December 26 in Centurion. Elgar said that he didn’t think that Ashwin has had great success in South Africa but they know that it will be a challenge against a quality bowler like him.

Speaking in the virtual press conference, Elgar said, “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. We have to focus on our gameplan, each player has been working on his individual gameplan. It is important not to focus on just one player in their lineup.

“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.

The right-arm offie has played three Test matches in the rainbow nation and has picked up just 7 wickets at an average of 46.14. In the absence of Ravindra Jadeja, Ashwin is likely to play all the games and will be hoping to better his record and inch closer to legendary Kapil Dev’s tally of 434 Test wickets, with just seven behind.

The left-handed opening batsman further went on to add that India may have a very good bowling attack but being at home they are accustomed to their own conditions and it will be a challenge for the visiting batsmen to face their bowlers.

“India has an immensely improved bowling lineup. As I mentioned earlier, we will be mindful of the fact that we will be up against a very good bowling attack. Being in South Africa, we will feel a lot more accustomed to our own conditions. Hopefully, we can use that to our advantage. We know it will be tough but it will be tough for the India batters to face our attack as well.

“I’d rather be sitting here than possibly sitting in the Indian dressing room knowing they have to face our bowlers,” he added.

The hosts received a massive blow to their chances earlier in the day with speedster Anrich Nortje ruled out of the Test series with a persistent hip injury.