CAPE TOWN: India captain Virat Kohli said on Saturday that his Indian team had the ability to gain a first series win in South Africa.
“We have the right kind of bowling attack and the right kind of balance to win Test matches in any conditions we play in,” he said at the Indian team’s arrival press conference.
The first of the three Test matches starts at Newlands on Friday.
Kohli baulked, though, when it was suggested his team had a chance to make history.
“For us it is about winning sessions, being in the present, executing our skills well, not looking at the history of a particular country we are playing in.”
With 13 of his 17-man squad veterans of India’s 2013/14 tour, Kohli said there was plenty of experience.
“A lot of our players have played here before. But it’s about the number of games we had played then and the number we have played now,” said Kohli. “We all understand our own games so much better. As a team we have confidence in our personal skills set.”
Kohli said team spirit was the outstanding feature of the touring party. “There’s a sense of intelligence and awareness and that provides the excitement. We know exactly what we need to do come game time. We know how to win Test matches.”
Kohli said India had made the right decision to cancel a scheduled two-day warm-up match, opting instead for intensive middle-wicket practice at a local club.
“There’s no point in wasting two days, guys going in and scoring quick fifties,” said Kohli. “We’d rather have them do two sessions like today. We can try and prepare the wickets the way we want them. If you are playing a game there is no room to change the wicket. Here you have the freedom to put more water on the wicket, roll it and make it harder so that tomorrow we have the conditions we want.”
Kohli said his players expected to be challenged by South Africa’s fast bowlers on pitches with pace and bounce but they were confident in their own ability.
“Come the fifth of January we will be ready for it,” he said.
Coach Ravi Shastri said: “This team is up for the challenge. If you had asked me four years ago I would have said no. But this team has gained in experience. The beauty of this team is that it doesn’t matter which opposition. We look at the pitch and adapt to the conditions. Every game is a home game. It’s as simple as that.”
Shastri added: “This will be a contest. I can sense our players want this Test match to start as soon as possible.”
We’re ready for South Africa, says Virat Kohli
We’re ready for South Africa, says Virat Kohli
Qiddiya powers next phase of ESL Saudi Challenge Overwatch 2 in Saudi Arabia
- Aim to boost careers of young Saudi gamers
- Qiddiya partners with the ESL FACEIT Group
RIYADH: Qiddiya, the Kingdom’s entertainment, sports and cultural destination, has become the official partner of the ESL Saudi Challenge Overwatch 2 tournament in Saudi Arabia.
The ESL FACEIT Group, the world’s leading esports and video game entertainment company, announced its partnership with Qiddiya in a press release recently.
Operated by the group, the ESL Saudi Challenge is a Kingdom-focused, high-stakes Overwatch 2 competition designed to provide local players with a clear professional and global pathway.
Qiddiya’s involvement further expands opportunities for young Saudi gamers to play, compete and qualify in a professional environment, gaining valuable experience at elite level.
The importance of developing a strong local competitive structure was underlined recently at DreamHack Stockholm, where Twisted Minds were crowned Overwatch 2 world champions after an all-Saudi grand final against Al-Qadsiah.
The success of both teams, which have emerged from the domestic Saudi scene, highlighted the impact of sustained grassroots competition and the role of platforms such as the ESL Saudi Challenge.
Franck Guignery, senior vice president for the Middle East and Africa at ESL FACEIT Group, stated: “Welcoming Qiddiya as our first Official Partner is a testament of their commitment to the grassroots scene.
“This partnership, driven by Qiddiya’s dedication to unleash the power of play, ensures that we can provide the professional infrastructure and world-class competition necessary for young Saudis to compete at an elite level and rise to the global stage.”
The partnership also supports ESL FACEIT Group’s role within Vision 2030’s National Esports & Gaming Strategy, which aims to build a sustainable and thriving esports ecosystem in Saudi Arabia.
The second season of the ESL Saudi Challenge is now underway, featuring an updated competition format designed to accelerate the growth of the Saudi esports community.
Season two’s first stage is the FACEIT Gauntlet, featuring eight teams that progress through open qualification rounds. These teams will compete throughout December 2025, with the top two earning places in an international FACEIT League competition.
Stage two will have the winner of the FACEIT Gauntlet join the top three teams from the previous season to contest the playoffs and grand final. The season will conclude with an offline final at ESL FACEIT Group’s new regional headquarters in Riyadh in early 2026.
Fans will be able to attend the live final in Riyadh, with ticket and attendance details to be announced later.
