Batsman Temba Bavuma has acknowledged South Africa A’s tour of India as near ideal preparation for the Proteas’ Test series in the same country later this year.

Bavuma will captain the team for five limited-overs fixtures against India A. Fellow batsman Aiden Markram will then lead the XI for two first-class fixtures.

Both have been named in the squad for the three Tests against India in October, too. Wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen, batsmen Theunis de Bruyn and Zubayr Hamza, fast bowler Lungi Ngidi, all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy and spinner Dane Piedt have also been included in both squads.

‘It is always nice to test yourself in foreign conditions like in the sub-continent. Obviously, we want to get more game time in conditions which we are not used to. It is important to make runs and pick up wickets in such conditions which will be good for us,’ said Bavuma ahead of Thursday’s opening limited-overs fixture in Thiruvananthapuram.

‘Obviously any team will want to play well in India, which has got a quality side. As batsmen we like to challenge ourselves against bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin.

‘And it will also be a challenge to bowl to world-class batsmen like Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and others in the sub-continental pitches. More than individual performances we will have to play well as a team in the upcoming tour.’

The Proteas will be without veteran Hashim Amla and fast bowler Dale Steyn. Amla recently retired from all international cricket, while Steyn has ended a prolific Test career.

‘It is difficult for any team in the world to fill the void left behind by Amla’s retirement. It is up to guys like me who have been playing Test cricket regularly for the last two years to step in and try to make it count,’ he added.

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