Faf expects Ashwin to be the main threat

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South Africa batsman Faf du Plessis expects Ravichandran Ashwin to be the Proteas' main threat in the upcoming four-match Test series against India that starts in Mohali on Thursday.

The tourists have already won the T20 and ODI leg of the long tour but know that they will get surfaces in the Tests that favour spin bowling.

Ashwin, an offspinner, missed most of the five-match ODI series due to a side strain but is expected to recover for the Tests.

Du Plessis said: "He is an outstanding spinner but I feel we played him well (in T20s). Now, its a case of Test cricket, but with the conditions he will get a little more turn.

"Ashwin is our main threat, but we will plan really well. The way we play Ashwin in this series will definitely determine definitely the success in this series."

"It looks quite dry. We are expecting big spin on day one. The way the wicket is looking at the moment, perhaps, it's worked."

The 31 year-old Du Plessis, who has played in 22 Tests, said the visitors are ready for the challenge in the subcontinent.

The Proteas have not lost a series away from home in the longest format since 2006.

Du Plessis continued: "Obviously playing India in India in Test cricket is probably the hardest challenge. What has helped us is that we have done really well so far this tour. We have played really good cricket.

"So, we've got lot of confidence, but we understand that Test cricket is still going to be the hardest challenge. We've practiced well, planned well and we are really hungry to play Test cricket."

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