India vs SA in India: Drawn. India vs SA in SA: Drawn. Which is the better team?

I think both teams are quite equal on each other's surfaces. So the key for these competition is not against each other. The key is against other teams and in other's surfaces. South Africa has had a dismal record at home over the past 1.5 years, where they have not won a series and that is the key for me to being the better team. So I would agree with the ICC rankings and think India is the overall better team. Cheers! Ram

Hi startdust, Yes it was a battle between the titans and result came. The second and last test was really enjoyable for all the members put their hurt down into the game. Might be a little good bowling effort from India would have changed the course of action but looking at the condition and other aspect it was ok.

IMO, I feel that the south Africans are the stronger team than India. Though India managed to level the series, it was South Africa who had an upper hand through the series. The Indian Batsman struggle to face the best opening bowlers and were unable to build up healthy partnerships. Even blistering Shewag struggled to read the bowling of Dale Sten and got out to him several times. Though couple of times he gave his wicket to proteas, he as under constant pressure and he was unable to score in his usual pattern.

Despite being an Indian cricket fan, I will not say that India is currently better than South Africa. Let us not forget that South Africans drew series when they toured India. Both teams are evenly matched. India has better batsmen & south Africa has superior bowlers. Looking at pure bench strength, India does have a better future & will be the team to beat in the long run.

I think India was more better than SA. Indians were given a very different pitch at first without any practice matches. the lost the 1st one, But soon came back and showh they are no:1. The pich was full support for the home team. But Indians managed to draw the series,remember India had neve did it earlier. So I think Indias were more better.

To decide which is better than the other I.C.C. has got rating system. It may not be full proof but it works fairly well and as per that rating system India is NO.1 and has got a lead of over 11 rating points over their second placed rival S.A.. Now this rating depends on the result of all the matches played by the teams. India to come to the top has defeated England and Sri Lanka at home and abroad, Australia and New Zealand at home. They have not lost a series at home or abroad since their controversial loss to Australia in Australia. This result of India is better than South Africa so they are 11 rating points clear of second placed S.A..

I think, in batting these teams are equally matched. The third test ended in draw simply because of the strength of the batting in both the teams. In bowling, both the teams are still lacking something. As you have mentioned, India was helpless in watching SA go from 130/6 to 341 all out. They simply couldn't do anything but watch as Kallis took the game away with the help of some lower order batsmen. This exposed India's inability to finish off the lower order or tail end batsmen quickly. And for SA, they really missed a world class spinner. Their pace attack is quite excellent but they do have some shortcoming in the spin department. So both teams are having some problems in their bowling departments but their batting seems to be well settled and solid. So I think both are balanced and more or less equal.