Kambli backs Kohli & Co to do well in South Africa

Mumbai, December 7: Former batsman Vinod Kambli on Thursday (December 7) said positive and aggressive attitude with the bat will be key to India's success on the bouncy tracks of South Africa.

India are set to tour South Africa early next year to play three Tests, six ODIs and three T20s, with the first Test starting January 5 in Cape Town.

"It will be about the technique and the approach towards the game. There will be bouncy tracks and they (South African bowlers) will come at you. So the best thing to do in South Africa is to play aggressively and positively," Kambli told reporters here. "I had learnt when I played as professional that you have to play that way. No matter what the situation is, just play your best," he added.

Mumbai's very own @vinodkambli349 flanks Saif Ali Khan and @ShelarAshish as the #T20Mumbai logo is unveiled! pic.twitter.com/uYJyrGSHni

— Mumbai Cricket (MCA) (@MumbaiCricAssoc) December 7, 2017

Kambli said the way the Indian team is playing currently, it will do well in South Africa. "I am very confident that our team will do well (in South Africa), the way they are playing and the way they are winning. We have got a good batting line up," said Kambli at sidelines of a function, where Mumbai Cricket Association announced its inaugural Mumbai T20 League from January 4 to 9, 2018.

Kambli was the first Indian batsman in Test matches to score two consecutive double hundreds in the 1990s, a feat which was equalled by skipper Virat Kohli when he scored two back-to-back double tons against Sri Lanka in the just-concluded Test series. "The way Virat is playing is amazing. I am happy to see him batting like that. I am also VK and he is also VK. I got the double hundreds long back. I would like to congratulate him," the former left-handed batsman said.

@vinodkambli349 Virat Kohli with initials VK scrores back to back test double centuries just like Vinod Kambli with initials VK. Strange nice coincidence. Good afternoon @vinodkambli349 Paaji

— Sanjeev747 (@Sanjeev32641600) December 3, 2017

Ajinkya Rahane struggled to score runs during the Test series against Sri Lanka but Kambli felt that the Mumbai batsman needed just one big knock to get back his confidence.

"He is struggling but once he gets in, he should get bigger runs. Getting out so early, you lose your confidence and concentration. So for him, it's one big knock. If he gets an opportunity, one big knock will bring back his confidence," said the 45-year-old former batsman, who represented India in 17 Tests and 104 ODIs.