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The Proteas' Test squad will defend one of the proudest records in world cricket when they embark on mission India at the magnificent new Nagpur Stadium on Saturday. Their Test record in India is unsurpassed having won four and lost four of their 10 five-day matches on the sub-continent with the other two matches being drawn. Even allowing for the fact that the Test history between the two countries only goes back 18 years it is still a magnificent effort and the Proteas are, in fact, the only visiting side apart from Australia to have won a Test series here in recent times.

There is little doubt that the rivalry between South Africa and India is, with the passage of time, going to become just as fierce (on the field) and committed as those between the Proteas and Australia and England. "We have had some high profile series wins in England and Australia over the last period of time," commented captain Graeme Smith, "and it will be a real feather in our cap if we can add a series win in India to our list."

The series is, of course, taking place against the background of India and South Africa being ranked No. 1 and 2 in the world on the ICC Reliance Mobile Test rankings and the India media has already dubbed it "the World Championship of Cricket" (or WCC for short). What will give the Proteas a lot of confidence is the fact that their previous four Test victories in India have been based on very strong batting performances by the top six backed up by the striking power of the pace bowlers.

The only time when spin bowling has played a major role in a South African triumph here came when Nicky Boje took five wickets in the second innings at Bangalore in 2000 after the Proteas had established a huge first innings lead of 321. This was, in part, brought about by the success of the Allan Donald-led pace attack that took seven of the nine wickets to fall to the bowlers in the first innings.

Much the same scenario played itself out at Eden Gardens in 1996 when Lance Klusener took a memorable 8/64 on debut. Even those with short memories should not need reminding that Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini and Morne Morkel bowled out India in just 20 overs at Ahmedabad on the last tour here two years ago. It was probably the only time that India have won a toss at home and been fielding before lunch on the first day!

Whichever bowlers are going to do the job, the key as always will rest with the batsmen to put big first innings runs on the board such as Gary Kirsten and Andrew Hudson did in 1996, Jacques Kallis and Klusener in 2000 and Kallis and AB de Villiers did in 2008.

Runs pressure remains the best way to take wickets in this neck of the woods. "The pitch is just as I expected to find it," commented Smith, which means that it is grassless, flat and likely to assist spin sooner rather than later. The one unknown factor is that the Proteas have never played a Test this early in the year before. The weather has been cloudy and pleasantly cool (certainly by Indian standards) with little humidity. It may keep whatever moisture there is in the pitch a bit longer and be less tiring for the South African quicks.

File Photograph Copyright: Ross Websdale