India coach Ravi Shastri says his team is up for the challenge of playing the Proteas in South Africa.

India have never won a Test series in South Africa. Most recently, they lost a two-match series 1-0 in 2013 and drew a three-match series 1-1 in 2010-11, their best result in the country.

However, Shastri believes India can make history in January by winning the three-match series.

‘If you asked me four years ago whether the team was up for it, I would have said no,’ he said in Cape Town on Saturday. ‘But this team is gaining experience now. We’ve got good strength in our fast bowling department, which is key in South Africa, England and Australia [where pitches are greener and bouncier].

‘The beauty of this team is that it doesn’t matter which team we face. We respect all opposition. We look at the pitch and adapt to those conditions. It doesn’t matter who the opposition is.’

ALSO READ: We can win here – Kholi

‘For us, every game is a home game,’ he added. ‘You see the pitch and you adapt, no excuses no complaints. Two teams have to play on that surface. If you want to be rated as a top side you have to adapt to all conditions.

‘This will be a good contest because a lot of our boys want job satisfaction – when you get out there and score runs and take wickets overseas. My players want to get the Test match started as quick as possible.’

The first Test will begin at Newlands next Friday, with the second at Centurion (from 13 January) and the third at the Wanderers (from 24 January).

Photo: Shaun Roy/Gallo Images