Mumbai: South Africa-born Sri Lanka head coach Nic Pothas has predicted a close contest when India face the Proteas in the upcoming Test tour beginning next month, provided the Virat Kohli-led batting line-up measures up to the home side's lethal new ball attack.
The 44-year-old Pothas said that the Indian team under Kohli seemed to have covered all their bases.
"They (India) have got all their bases covered. If you provide them with a green wicket they have got bowling attack to knock over other batting line-ups. If it's a flat wicket, they have got those bases covered. If a wicket spins they have got their bases covered," said Pothas.
"If the Indian batting line-up can get runs against South Africa, then South Africa is going to find them (India) very tough," said Pothas at the post-match press conference after Sri Lanka lost the third and final T20 International by five wickets for a 0-3 series defeat.
South Africa have the option of unleashing a deadly new ball attack on Kohli and his men following the recent comeback to fitness of their premier fast bowler Dale Steyn after a lengthy rehabilitation process from injury.
India, who had never won a Test series in South Africa, are to play three Tests with the opening game scheduled to start at Cape Town on
January 5.