South African captain Graeme Smith today conceded that India were the favourites to win the final of the TVS Cup tomorrow but said his fast-improving young team was quite capable of beating them. “We have to play very well to beat the in-form Indians. But if we keep improving the way we have done, there is no reason why we cannot emerge victorious,” Smith said on the eve of the day-night final at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here.

Already, South Africa have inflicted the first defeat on the Indians in this tournament, winning by five wickets in the last league match yesterday, and Smith said a victory in the final would be the perfect reward for his team which was settling down into a nice rhythm. “The team is together and we are working really hard because it is a transition phase for us. If we can win tomorrow, it will be a big boost for us,” Smith, at 22 the youngest player to lead South Africa, said.

He said the youngsters in the team, who made it to the national squad in place of a number of senior players who either retired or were dropped after South Africa’s premature exit from the World Cup, had a lot of potential and were willing to learn fast. Of course, the absence of so many seniors cannot be filled up overnight. But the new members have been trying really hard. The team is on the right track and slowly getting the combinations right, he said.

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