India vs South Africa: Former India spinner picks favourites to win series

India is scheduled to host South Africa in a three-match T20 International series beginning in Dharamshala on Sunday, followed by a three-match Test series starting October 2.

Leg-spinner Amit Mishra on Thursday said that a well balanced Indian team has the upper hand in the upcoming home Test series against South Africa.

India's Jasprit Bumrah is congratulated by teammates for his hat-trick wicket. (AP)

India is scheduled to host South Africa in a three-match T20 International series beginning in Dharamsala on Sunday, followed by a three-match Test series starting October 2.

“We have a better team than them, a more balanced side. Our batsmen are better. In the bowling department also, we have better spin than them,” Mishra told reporters on the sidelines of an event.

“The only area where there is a 50-50 competition is in fast bowling,” he added.

South Africa head into the series after a disastrous campaign in the World Cup. This will be the Porteas’ first T20I series with wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock as skipper.

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“South Africa has the tag of chokers, we saw it in the recent ODI World Cup and also in T20 World Cup in 2016. They are not able to perform well under pressure, so that weighs them down. But yes they have the fighting spirit,” Mishra said.

Asked about the recent success of wrist spinners around the world, Mishra said, “I feel disappointed that earlier wrist spinners were not favoured. If they had been favoured there were so many of them who used to perform well. “The realisation was very late, but at the same time I’m happy that this realisation has come,” he said.