IPL battle-hardened Proteas ready to take on India

PROTEAS coach Shukri Conrad believes his inexperienced Test side will not be overawed by the occasion of facing India at the cauldron of Eden Gardens in the first Test tomorrow due to their involvement in the IPL.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS

Eight members of the Proteas Test squad - just over half - have never played a Test in India before.

However, five of the aforementioned lot, namely Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Dewald Brevis and Corbin Bosch, have all sampled the IPL with their respective franchises over the last few years.

Conrad, who has only been to India once previously with the Cape Cobras for the inaugural T20 Champions League back in 2009, believes the IPL experience will benefit his players both on and off the field.

“I think previously you come to India as a newbie and not having experienced India before, you can be in awe, you can be taken aback by the occasion,’ Conrad told the media, yesterday.