Prior to the clash, visiting skipper Faf du Plessis hoped that they would exploit the conditions with spinner like Keshav Maharaj and Muthusamy in the lineup. However, the things went out of proportion and they found themselves at the receiving end.
Aiming to bounce back in the series, Du Plessis is hopeful that the pitch will have a more spinning condition than the first Test.
“I know Indian conditions quite well, the turf is a little bit more red here and in terms of that, it is generally more spinning condition. So, expecting the ball to spin more than the first Test,” Du Plessis said in the pre-match presser.
India showcased a spirited performance in the first Test as Rohit Sharma hit centuries in both the innings while spinner Ravichandran Ashwin grabbed eight wickets. Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja bagged six wickets in the match.
“Extremely hot conditions, we spent a lot of time in the field. And the thinking is to be fresh as I said in a previous Test match that there is not enough time to find your answers in the nets now,” Du Plessis said.
“The work has been done before the series so it's about trusting that. Today everyone got the good practice, we took a little bit longer than usual as there were only two nets available. The general feeling in the camp is to be fresh for the five days,” he added.
The 35-year-old skipper wants to win the toss in the second Test so that they can put pressure on the Indian side.
“I think it is obvious in saying that in every Test match we would like to start well. Even start a Test match ahead of India that would be nice. We as a team are very resilient and we always make a comeback,” Faf du Plessis said.
India and South Africa will face each other in the second Test of the three-match series at Pune from October 10.