Aiden Markram looks ahead to challenge presented by Indian conditions

South Africa Test opener Aiden Markram prepared for the Tests with a superb 161 for the 'A' side in their second four-day game against India A in Mysore. The visitors played only one innings and scored 400, thanks largely to centuries from Markram and Wiaan Mulder (131) to help draw the match.

While South Africa A performed poorly in the first four-day game, losing the match by seven wickets, Markram's return to form just a few days ahead of the Tests bodes well for the national side.

The 24-year-old is confident he can apply the lessons from the A series to the bigger stage. "From a personal perspective, it was nice to spend time out in the middle. I think the wickets we get will be a lot different to the wickets we got in the A series," Markram told reporters ahead of the warm-up game.

"In the field as well, it was nice for us as fielders to be on our feet for long periods of time and for our bowlers to bowl plenty of spells in these hot conditions. I took a lot from the A side games and I'm ready to go in the Test matches."

Back with the senior side now, Markram is looking forward to the Test series. "The guys are positive and upbeat and we're maintaining a really good language in the changeroom, a really strong language. At the end of the day, we're not going to harp on about conditions, we pretty much know what to expect and we just need to get the job done," he added.

The last time South Africa toured India in 2015, Markram was only 20 and had not yet made his international debut. The visitors suffered a humbling 3-0 loss in the Test series. It was also their first overseas series loss since 2006.

While Markram admitted that those experiences from the previous tour could weigh on the minds of the players who played in that series, they are not going to let those bother them too much.

"I remember watching that series a few years ago and it looked incredibly difficult. And I'm sure there's a bit of baggage that certain players that were on that tour might still be carrying but that's completely fine," said Markram, who has played 17 Tests so far and scored 1358 runs at 43.80. "I think it's never an easy tour coming to anywhere in the subcontinent, let alone India. It's full of challenges, but if we can conquer those challenges it will be really rewarding."

Prior to the first Test, which begins on 2 October, South Africa will play a three-day warm-up match against Board President's XI starting on Thursday, 26 September, in Vizianagaram.