Does India have anything to prove in SA?

[Sachinism]

Don't care so much about Aus, we've had the better of them for a long time now regardless of what the results say. It would be brilliant to win in SA, just so I don't have to hear another idiot talk about how India don't deserve to be #1

[Sachinism]

South Africa is no pushover at home and I do think that they will not take India lightly too and make green-tops...I think Centurian will be a batting paradise...like it was in Champions trophy and Champions league....They wont take a risk of playing Indian medium pacers on greenish wicket...though they have bowling to take benefit but it can backfire too....like it did in 2006 Johannesburg

I'm sure they'll go for greentops. They will definitely feel they're seamers are far superior to ours and their batting just as good

[rkt.india]

I'm sure they'll go for greentops. They will definitely feel they're seamers are far superior to ours and their batting just as good

Whatever, but it will be a good batting track in Centurian...

[achilles]

For India, the conditions in SA aren't alien anymore. Our players have spend 45 days during IPL 2 in that country and the CL was also held there this year. The place has been a good hunting ground for our bowlers. Our batters need to pull up their socks. To make it better, some players are also going there in advance to get acclimatized with the conditions. All in all, we win this series and the world sits up and recognizes the reason why we are #1.

[bihutoli]

They came to India and drew with us. Twice. No mean feat. The least we can do is return the favor.

[jibranpatel15]

a dream will remain dream to win in SA as indian bowling sucks so badly. Last time ind won a test bcoz of sreesanth. But this time i don't think it will happen any how.

[rkt.india]

a dream will remain dream to win in SA as indian bowling sucks so badly. Last time ind won a test bcoz of sreesanth. But this time i don't think it will happen any how.

Indian Bowling is much better this time around with Ishant Sharma adding to the attack with Zak and Sreeshanth...

[Chalks]

Jibran, how did your "phaast bowling powerhouse" do in UAE? :P Point is, on pattas like those (and those on subcontinent), any bowling attack will look toothless.

[Sachin=GOD]

They came to India and drew with us. Twice. No mean feat. The least we can do is return the favor.

and thats what is going to happen in this series. IMO it will be 1-1

[maniac]

The only thing that India should be trying to prove is that we have good back up once the seniors retire.The youngsters need to take the initiative.

[ravishingravi]

A lot of people, including indians, always keep repeating that We are not # 1 till we win in Aus and SA. Going by rankings, even if we lose the SA series 2-0, we will still be #1. If we lose all 3 tests, then SA will be #1 with 0.1 points more than us. But do we really need to win the series to prove that we are #1? Why should we have to prove when SA should be the one to prove its #1 by winning the series 3-0. Anything less and then they have wait till the end of WC to dislodge us from the position we have earned. And damn right, we earned it. Since 2009, SA has won 1 series and lost 1 out 5 series. Meanwhile we have won 7 out of our last 9 series (5 out of 7 since 2009) with 0 losses. We are deserving #1 and even a loss in the SA series shouldn't bring doubts to anyone. We will remain #1 till someone else takes it from us by consistent good performances and SA cannot become the undisputed #1 just because they won 1 series.

Depends on how you look at it. If you are content wirh the stat. of No.1 then even a 3-0 loss shouldn't matter. However, if you judge this Indian side wrt history of Indian cricket esp. abroad, it is paramount that this team's so called "greatness" has the stamp of beating two teams at their home grounds where India has never in its history succeded, while both these teams have beaten India in their home ground in last 10 years. A win atleast or a draw atleast in SA is necessary since we haven't managed it yet after losing a golden opportunity last time around. This decade has been vital for India, since we have overcome the away test match bogie. But a time comes when team has take it to the next level and actually be a dominant force in all conditions. Again depends on what your ambitions are for your country. I would not want a heavyweight champions who has not beaten two major boxers in the circuit. There is no out and out No.1. But if we feel content in getting beaten away from home with our past record which isn't flattering and still take comfort in the No.1 ranking, then we should also be willing to accept those opinions which dispute our ranking.

[punjabi_khota]

You forgot to mention that out of those last 9 test series only one has been away from the sub continent and that was against new zealand. Can you imagine how much south africa would be in front of the world rankings if they had played their last 9 series in their conditions. Australia were regarded as the best for so long in tests but until they conquered india in 2001 I think it was I didn't think they deserved to be rated so highly but they did. When india win a series in australia and south africa then there is no denying how good they are.

WTF ? They got raped in 2001 buddy :hysterical::hysterical: