Vernon Philander cautions India ahead of opening Test

Capetown, Jan 3 (Cricketnmore) South Africa paceman Vernon Philander on Wednesday cautioned India of the challenges when the two teams face off in the opener of the three-Test rubber at Newlands here from Friday.

"We want to play our best cricket. 2015 was quite a different one going there and losing to them, but we want to make sure that we deliver at home on our own soil," he added.

Ahead of the tour, India have expressed confidence in their own seamers, saying they have the firepower to finally win a Test series in South Africa.

Philander also said that the hosts are not placing any extra importance on the wicket of India skipper Virat Kohli as the visitors aim of securing their first series win in the country this time around.

Kohli averages a staggering 53.75 in his 63 Test matches and while there is still an element of doubt as to how most of the Indian batsmen will cope with the South Africa conditions, Kohli's pedigree makes him a threat everywhere.

Yet, when asked about the threat posed by the Indian slipper, Philander was firm.