Du Plessis seeking more than a trophy

When sports teams travel, it is with the intention of taking something away from the place they are visiting. Most of the time, that something is tangible like a trophy. Sometimes it is something much more.

"I have learnt the most from India - just from general respect and treating people the way you do. Indian people, as a culture, are the friendliest people around," Faf du Plessis, South Africa's T20 captain said. "I have mentioned it to the team and said to them, 'Really open your eyes and try and listen because there is so much you can learn from people here."

Du Plessis has been to India at least five times, only once (2011) as an international cricketer. Every year since then, he has been part of the IPL and his experience at Chennai Super Kings has shaped his idea about the country and by extension, the cricket.

Du Plessis has previously credited the tournament with South Africa's success in the subcontinent and now he hopes they can draw from it both in preparation and over the course of their 11-week tour of India. "From a skill perspective, I have learnt a lot from batting in these conditions and practising every day against the world's best spin bowlers," du Plessis said.

Ultimately, the spin factor will have a say in whether South Africa leave India with more than just a cultural education. How their batsmen play it, will be as important as how their bowlers deliver it.

For the first time, South Africa have reason to believe they can match up in both departments thanks to their growing spin resources. Their Test squad includes three specialist spinners and their limited-overs' sides two, although JP Duminy provides a handy part-time option as well. "I suppose they know we have got spinners who can win us games. Imran has proven it right across the world and he has changed the way we have played in the white-ball format. We have always relied on pace to strike first and now our success in the one-day or T20 team lies heavily on his shoulders," du Plessis said.

Tahir is South Africa's leading bowler in ODI cricket this year and lies fourth overall with 30 wickets from his 17 matches at an average of 22.46. He has only played one T20 in 2015, in order to manage his workload, but was South Africa's most economical bowler in that match and is certain to play a part in the World T20. Tahir has combined control in the middle overs with the ability to attack, and that has meant South Africa have a genuine means of keeping batting line-ups under pressure during passages of play where they have sometimes let things drift, after the seamers had bowled their opening spells.

He will be particularly important in the T20 series, because that is the format in which South Africa are fielding their least experienced pack. In the absence of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, Kyle Abbott, Kagiso Rabada and Marchant de Lange will carry the load. Luckily for them, they are starting on what du Plessis has called "probably the quickest wicket in India", but will be aware that it will only get more difficult after Dharamsala.

That's not to say anyone is going to find playing at the picturesque ground easy. A surprising amount of dew greeted South Africa during an evening training session, which du Plessis expects will make things tricky for the fielding side but could mitigate against the spin factor. "Dew is never a nice thing for a bowling team or fielding team because the ball gets slippery but the wet ball takes away a little bit of challenge from the spinners."

Ordinarily, that would be seen as advantage for South Africa, who are perceived to be susceptible to spin. But these days, a more well-travelled South African outfit - 10 of the current squad of 15 have played in the IPL and all of them have been to India before - embrace the turn and Du Plessis has promised it has not made them any less aggressive in their intent to leave India with tangible and intangible trophies.

"It doesn't take away the edge to win or the competitiveness on the field. The boundary of right and wrong doesn't get crossed as much anymore. But when I am batting I am trying to hit you for six or four every ball and I am trying to win the game. It's just that balance is really good at the moment."