Mumbai: Former South Africa batsman Graeme Smith feels that the top three India batsmen- Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan could make an impact during India’s upcoming tour of South Africa in January.
Smith led the Proteas to 1-0 series win in the Tests, when the Men in Blue toured the African nation last time back in 2013.
"The top three (Kohli, Rohit and Dhawan) are winning a lot of cricket games. Not only are they consistent, prolific run-getters, they also get it at pace. Each of them has a strike rate of 90 and above. It's exciting to watch them," he commented during a post-match show on Star Sports.
He further added that the three cricketers had developed since the last time they toured.
"This top three will go to South Africa as better players. Since the last tour, they have all grown in stature. Virat had a decent tour [in 2013]. He has got even better. He has gone to the next level. Rohit, I think, is a better player than what he was when he came to South Africa [last time]. Shikhar has improved.
"They all go with more experience, they are better players not only mentally, but also technically. If they [India] are to be successful, their top three, both in the Test format and in the one-day format, need to have big tours,” he continued.
Virat Kohli is on a break now, and will return back on the cricket field ahead of the first Test against South Africa, starting on January 5. The three Tests will be followed by six ODIs and three T20s.
