M.S. Dhoni said India saw the third Test, which begins here at Newlands on Sunday, as the opportunity to create history.
“Winning in South Africa will be a big thing for us — it's a chance to create history,” he said. “In the last game we won our first-ever Test match in Durban. In Johannesburg in 2006 we won our first-ever Test in South Africa, which is also part of history.
“But as I always stress, it is not about the past. It's what happens over the next five days.”
The Indian captain said his side was aware of what was needed to win in South Africa; the rest was down to execution. “We know what is needed,” he said.
“It's about taking care of the small things in preparation because the game changes very quickly. You can lose three, four and five wickets in one session, and in the same way, if two good batsmen are set they can score at a brisk pace.”
The rain that is forecast could add to the dynamic. “I don't mind winning the toss over here because I believe rain is predicted,” said Dhoni, who lost 12 of 13 tosses in 2010.
“So if you win the toss it is always good for the side. You can have those good couple of hours for the bowlers to get the opposition out.”
Graeme Smith, the South African captain, said his team had moved on from Durban. “We lost our minds a bit,” he said. “We lacked a bit of tough discipline and in the end we let ourselves down. Hopefully we can gather our strength for this Test.”
Asked if India had the momentum, especially because there was little time for recovery between Tests, Smith said, “These sorts of Tests, when the game is on the line, the pressure is on both teams to perform.
“It is going to be a tense Test. As a team the confidence runs deep; it's not just something that erodes after one game.”
Smith said his team's recent record at Newlands — four wins and a draw in the last five Tests — was a source of confidence. “Everyone has good records here, and we have played well here in the past,” he said. “It's a really strong ground for us. We know if we get our game together, we can play well in Cape Town.”
