Preview for tomorrows 1st Test against India in Nagpur.

Let’s forget the ICC rankings. Let’s look at it this way, similar to how Jarrod Kimber did in his blog. The undisputed best team in the world should have won their last home and away series against every other team, or most of the teams. Neither of India, South Africa or Australia have a big lead on that count. Australia lost their last series in India and at home to South Africa. India lost both in South Africa and Australia. South Africa lost to Australia at home, and drew in India. Australia lost in England, while India and South Africa lost in Sri Lanka.

South Africa, in this equation, are slightly ahead of their two close rivals, having drawn their last series in India. But it’s a small lead, which gets offset by their recent drawn home series against England, and also that they haven’t toured New Zealand and West Indies in ages. Hence there is no current “best Test team” in the world, and the ICC rankings put India on No. 1 because, well, we need a No. 1.

It is a delicate status quo. Between Saturday and the year-end, it could get blown away, or reinforce itself even more strongly. Australia have been thrown off their perch, but who is ready to take over the mantle? South Africa know they will need a series win in India to have claims to being the best, India know they can’t be the best without series wins in either Australia or South Africa, the latter of which they tour later in the year.

Sachin Tendulkar was there when South Africa were readmitted. Jacques Kallis came in soon after. They have seen match-fixing, transformation, heart-breaking World Cup losses, chokes after they got out, countless changes in captaincy, new rules, new clothing, new formats, and they have lived to tell the tale. Don’t be surprised if they have more tales to tell after this series, and India’s return tour later this year. Thankfully, some things never change.