Test bulls set to lock horns

THREE Decembers ago, India began a Test series in SA that amounted to a world title fight. India’s number one ranking was on the line and the Proteas, then the number two side, would have snatched the championship belt with a series victory. Roles will be reversed when the teams square off again at the Wanderers today. SA are the top Test team by a handsome 12 ratings points with India in second place. In 2010-11, MS Dhoni’s team did not know what hit them at Centurion, where they lost by an innings and looked set to go down for the count. But they staggered to their feet at Kingsmead, where they won, and drew at Newlands. Much has changed since then, not least that India’s coach, Gary Kirsten, switched allegiance and took SA to the top of the Test world, where they have remained for 16 months and 10 matches. India’s decline has been as steady as SA’s rise. Dhoni’s men have won 12 and lost 10 of the 26 Tests they have played since that 2010-11 series. SA’s record in the same period is comparable in that they have played 21 and won 13. But Graeme Smith’s team...