India and South Africa Fighting For Top Spot in ODI & Test

New Delhi/Johannesburg: Indian cricket fans may have reason to rejoice in the New Year. On Tuesday, dominates-in-decline Australia went into free fall following their first home series loss in 16 years, giving MS Dhoni's fighters a real chance to wrest the tag of world's best team in 2009.

Standing in their way, though, are Graeme Smith's born-again South Africans, who humiliated Ricky Ponting's team in their backyard, shed their tag of chokers and emerged as the team to beat. SA have won 11 of their 15 Tests this year, a phenomenal record. If they can beat Australia again in the third Test in Sydney, South Africa automatically become the new No. 1. For the record, Australia will be No. 2, but on current form, there is no doubt India deserve that rank more.

Both India and South Africa are virtually impregnable at home, though India's 66.67% success rate in 2008 was way below SA's 100% record. Crucially, India managed only a draw in the home series earlier this year against Smith's bunch.

The key, though, could lie in overseas wins. In 2008, SA won two series, beating Australia and England away within a six-month span. India managed only two away Test wins. So, can Dhoni turn this crucial equation around?

South Africa won 11 matches from 15, and lost only two match, one again India at Kanpur and another last Test against England and other two have drawn. While India won 6 and lost 5 from 15, other 4 matches was drawn. India lost two away series against Australia and Sri Lanka by 2-1.

Top Fives in 2008