Sourav Ganguly singles out Imran Tahir as the biggest threat for India

Ganguly picked out Tahir and Amla as the greatest threats to India’s chances

Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly picked out South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir as the man to watch out for India in the upcoming series, Times of India reports. The 43-year-old also praised Virat Kohli’s captaincy and feels batting will hold the key if India are to trump the Proteas in the Test matches.

India are set to take on South Africa in three T20s, five ODIs, and four Test matches over a two month period starting October 2 with the shortest format of the game. The highlight of the series will, however, be the Test leg as India are set to play their match in the longer format at home for more than two years.

India has a formidable record at home over the years that has been primarily built upon preparing turning pitches that played to their strength with batsmen adept at playing spin as well as possessing several match-winning spinners. Ganguly, however, feels this ploy could come back to haunt India as South Africa’s Tahir could exploit the conditions much better than his Indian counterparts.

"Tahir is a quality spinner and he'll be a threat in Indian conditions. I want India to make sporting wickets and not square turners. If they make a square turner then Tahir will be a match-winner," Ganguly said.

Ganguly tips India to win

The southpaw is banking on India’s batsman to hold the key for the Test series and asked the BCCI to prepare sporting pitches to negate the threat of Tahir.

"I want a hard wicket which will have bounce and start turning from the fourth day. In Indian conditions, a match usually takes shape fourth day onwards when wickets fall in a heap. The key to success for India is to bat well and put (a score of) 500-plus on board up front," he said.

India will have their work cut out against a South African which has not lost an away Test series since 2006. They drew their last two series in India, but Ganguly still feels India has the upper edge.

"It's a long series and I don't think India can play badly in all the four Tests. South Africa will really have to do well to beat India," Ganguly said.

Ganguly praises Kohli

Ganguly, who was known for his aggressive captaincy during his predominantly successful reign as Indian skipper also heaped praise on Test skipper Virat Kohli who recently led India to its first overseas victory since 2011 as India beat Sri Lanka 2-1.

"He's one captain who always looks win, winning is everything for him. At times, his body language may be over aggressive and he may cross the line but I like his mindset. It was an exceptional achievement to win in Sri Lanka," Ganguly said. "He's an outstanding batsman, he's a much-needed personality to take Indian cricket forward."

The South African Test side will be led by Hashim Amla who had a fantastic outing when he last toured India. He smashes centuries in all the three innings that he came out to bat in 2010 and was in fact dismissed only once in the two-match series. Ganguly acknowledged the threat posed by the South African skipper.

"I have not seen his captaincy. He's cool and composed, his batting will be key in these conditions," Ganguly said.