George Linde may be a one-Test wonder, but that singular experience of India last year holds him in good stead for this week's three-match ODI series against the same team.
The 28-year-old left-arm spinning all-rounder, from Bellville High in Cape Town, took 4/133 and scored 37 and 27 in SA's innings and 202-run hammering in the third Test in Ranchi.
That was a tough outing for everyone involved, but it's steeled Linde for the short but intense series that starts on Thursday at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala.
It may work out for the self-styled cricketer who thinks he's not the most talented player going around.
"I expect it to be tough, not that I expected it to be easy. It's going to be one hell of a challenge for everyone and that includes me. My mind has to be strong. I've been to a few spin camps in India, so I'm going to lean on what I learnt there," Linde said.
"I don't think I was the most talented cricketer in the world. I've trained a lot on my own, trying to figure out my own game and that's worked out well for me."
Linde is a product of the Western Province cricket system where he represented the union at junior age group and semi-professional level.
The Indian Test experience was a rough one for Linde, who's red-ball numbers meant he had to be picked. He's kicked on this season with two 100s in his 348 runs along with his 30 wickets. His List A numbers haven't been as pretty with 159 runs and seven wickets from seven games but that India Test reminded him of the work he needs to put in.
"I stayed nice and calm while trying to compete with the best in the world. That's what I'm going to go back to; trying to compete with them. You can never know what can happen. Your career can kick on from there."
Linde's going to India on the back of Tabraiz Shamsi's paternity leave enforced absence; a reminder of SA's spin strength that Linde admires.
"It's a good thing because we haven't had this delightful problem before. There are so many guys competing for one spot because in SA, we generally don't play more than one spinner. It gets the best out of you as an individual and that means you literally can't have a bad game. You must try to be one step ahead by being a good bowler and better batsman."
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