Pacer Duanne Olivier has his gun trained on India captain Virat Kohli.

“This will be the biggest series of my career against world class players and it’s an exciting challenge. I need to bowl to Virat Kohli. It will be tough but it will also be exciting, probably I will be bowling to one of the top four batters in world cricket,” Olivier was quoted as saying by Cricket South Africa.

“For me, it will be like making a statement to them that we are here to compete and are not going to roll over. For me, it’s very important to start that first punch,” Olivier, who has returned to the South Africa squad after three years, added.

The right-arm seamer expects some of the grass on the pitch in Centurion to be shaved before the first Test, but still thinks that it will be helpful enough for the fast-bowlers.

“We need to use conditions to our advantage. We can’t get carried away. It might seam and might have bounce. I reckon some grass will be shaved. With a lot of rain being forecast, it’s not ideal for preparation,” the 29-year-old, who has taken 48 wickets in 10 Tests, said.