MOHALI: South Africa opener Dean Elgar feels toss will play an important role in tougher Indian conditions during the four-Test series and said they will look to put the Indian new ball bowlers under pressure early on when the first Test begins here on Thursday.
"Generally, if you look at the sub-continent, conditions do tend to get a little tougher (later on). I am not sure what the wicket looks like, to be honest with you, I have not had a look. Generally, Indian conditions do tend to deteriorate, so the toss is quite important," said Elgar while addressing the media after the team's practise session.
Talking about India's new ball bowlers, Elgar said, "It's going to be a great contest between bat and ball. In India, it is generally seen the first day, first hour, first session, there seems to be something in the wicket, the ball does seam and swing around. It's also a great opportunity to put Indian bowlers under pressure. Hopefully, I and my opening partner are able to put them under pressure."
On the team's preparations, he said, "First three days leading up to the Test match are very important days for us. We got to try and cover lot of aspects playing in the sub-continent.
"Sometimes, it is the possibility of facing spinners with the new ball, which is totally foreign for us back home, but it is something we got to adapt to, adapt to various conditions that we are posed with, mentally you got to prepare as well and make familiar with the conditions."
With most of the South Africans, including Faf du Plessis, heaping praise on India's top spinner R Ashwin, Elgar too joined the chorus.
"No doubt, he is a very good bowler. I think he is possibly India's spearhead when it comes to the bowling attack, which is great challenge, something I really look forward to," Elgar said.
The 28-year-old said they were preparing to meet Ashwin's challenge, though he did admit that "facing the guy in the middle and preparing in the nets are two different things, but you have got to prepare with the resources that you have."