Kohli and co. can become one of the best Indian Test teams: Pujara

Cape Town [South Africa], Jan 2 (ANI): India, who are currently placed at the top of the ICC Test rankings, can go on to become one of the best teams in the country's cricket history, according to top-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara.

Speaking ahead of the opening Test of the three-match series against South Africa at Newlands on Friday, Pujara backed the Virat Kohli-led side to dominate overseas, including in England and Australia, to become one of the greatest Indian sides.

India are slated to tour South Africa, England and Australia within the space of a year and have their Test mettle measured against the globe's very best.

"Yes, we have that opportunity. If we do well here and in England and Australia. We have a team which can dominate overseas and it will be one of the best teams India have ever had (if we do well in South Africa, England and Australia)," Pujara said.

India have won nine successive Test series to equal the record of Australia and England. However, Kohli's side can break new records and become the first side in history to get to ten Test series win in a row with a victory over South Africa.

However, India have never managed to win a Test series on South African soil for the past 25 years. Their best result came during the 2010-11 series, which India drew 1-1.

Pujara, who has featured for India in the two previous tours to South Africa in 2010 and 2013, believes that this time is different as their preparation has been good.

"Preparation has been fantastic. We have had three net sessions so far and twice we had two sessions in a day. We are very confident of our chances. We are here to win the series. The good thing is that most of the players have been here before. Personally, I have been here twice (2010-11 and 2013-14). It is about knowing your game, knowing the conditions and you just need to apply yourself," he said.

Pujara, meanwhile, also reflected his views on India's possibility of 10 consecutive series win. The top-order batsman said that his side doesn't think about records and is only focussed on playing good cricket.

"We don't speak about records. It comes naturally when you play good cricket and start winning Test matches and series. Our focus is to play good cricket. We have never spoken about records," Pujara said.

India are slated to play three-match Test series, six ODIs and three T20Is, beginning January 5 in Cape Town. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI