JOHANNESBURG, Nov 14: India's cricket team arrived in Johannesburg on Tuesday confident of recording their first series win on South African soil.

India will play five one-day internationals and three tests on their fourth tour of South Africa, having failed to win a test or a limited-overs series on their previous visits, although they did reach the final of the 2003 World Cup.

“We are very excited about touring South Africa, despite our record here,” captain Rahul Dravid told a media conference in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

“I remember my first tour here in 1996 was a great learning experience against some great cricketers and hopefully this tour will spark off some of the young bowlers and batsmen we have in this squad.”

India have lost four of their nine tests in South Africa, drawing the other five, but Dravid said he always enjoyed touring the country.

The Indian captain said having a penetrative attack was the first priority on tour.

“To win consistently overseas you need to develop a squad that can take 20 wickets in all conditions, although you also need the batsmen to put the runs on the board.”—Reuters