"He will have to have a good series" - Jacques Kallis on who he thinks will be the most critical Indian player during Test series in South Africa

Former South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis recently stated that Virat Kohli has to step up big time if Team India are to register their first away series win over the Proteas. Kallis reckons that Kohli, as the most experienced player in the side, would also be able to pass on the knowledge to the youngsters involved.

Team India are yet to win an away Test series over the Proteas, and missed golden opportunities on their last two tours. With Kohli as the skipper in both, the sub-continent nation lost the three-Test series twice by a margin of 2-1.

Speaking to Star Sports, Kallis said that Virat Kohli would look to produce a landmark series against the Proteas, having already played some notable Test innings there.

"I am sure he will want to have a big series here in South Africa," Kallis said. "He has been in good form. I think he will play a major role in helping India. If they are to win here, he will have to have a good series."

"He's a massive player, no matter where it is," he added. "Having played here quite a bit and had a fair amount of success. He'll be able to pass that knowledge on to the other guys, especially the younger guys and give them ideas on how to manage these conditions and then what to expect."

While South Africa are considered a relatively weak Test side overall, they are quite formidable on home soil. Their bowling unit, consisting of Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Gerald Coetzee, would make them quite tough to beat.

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A look into Virat Kohli's Test record in South Africa

Virat Kohli (Image Credits: X)

Since playing his first Test in South Africa during the 2013 tour, the right-handed batter has mustered 719 runs in 7 Tests, averaging a healthy 51.36 with 2 centuries. Kohli's best against South Africa in their backyard was the 153 that he struck in 2018 at the Centurion, but it came in a losing cause.

India's current tour of South Africa begins with three T20Is, and the two teams are set to play as many ODIs after that. The two-Test series begins on December 26 at Centurion, and the final game will be hosted by Cape Town.