Vizianagaram: South Africa pacer Vernon Philander wants the team's senior players to take responsibility and throw the "first punch" at "big dogs" India in the upcoming three-match Test series starting October 2. The opening Test against India will mark the start of South Africa's ICC World Test Championship campaign and Philander said it is going to be a tough battle first up.

"It's a tough start — playing India in India but I don't think the South Africans would have wanted it any other way — take the big dogs in their home ground," Philander was quoted as saying by the ICC.