Middle-order batsman Farhaan Behardien believes South Africa’s policy of fielding different captains in the three formats of the game keeps the think-tank buzzing with fresh ideas, especially on their current tour of India spread over 72 days.
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Faf du Plessis leads the South Africans in Twenty20s, AB de Villiers in one-day internationals and Hashim Amla in Tests.
Behardien, 32, feels another aspect that drives the Proteas forward is that all captains bring in different characteristics and lead from the front.
South Africa have already begun their tour on a bright note by winning the first Twenty20 game by seven wickets on Friday and are in a buoyant mood ahead of the second game of the three-match series in Cuttack on Monday night.
“AB, Faf and Hash command different kind of respect. It’s nice to have new and fresh ideas in all three formats especially on a long tour like this to India (involving three T20s, five ODIs and four Tests). All three lead by example.
“For one guy to captain in all three formats becomes a bit tough to go from press conferences, to team selections and worry about your own performances. So the split captaincy takes away the pressure. They are massive players for us in all formats, and this keeps them fresh and all the teammates enjoy this fresh perspective.”
Hosts India will be aiming to put up an improved bowling display after failing to defend a formidable target of 200 in the first match.
