Smith Believes Underdog Status Excites Them; India Have Ranking to Lose

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Graeme Smith says he is not particularly perturbed by the fact that India will start favourites. Even though the no. 1 Test team is a tag South Africa will love to win back, Smith is hoping to apply pressure on the hosts.

graeme smith with gary kirsten ap
graeme smith with gary kirsten ap

The series being labelled as the world championship is certainly spicing up. But while the South African captain can look back in morose on South Africa losing the top of the ICC Test rankings, he is sounding an optimistic note.

Smith believes the fact that South Africa have the opportunity to stake their claim once more to the top, is something that will spur his team on and make competing an exciting prospect.

On the contrary, Smith says the pressure is all on India because they have to defend their no. 1 Test team tag and it will not be easy without the likes of Rahul Dravid and V.V.S. Laxman, a point highlighted by AB de Villiers.

Hashim Amla though remained neutral stating that if India can exploit the weapons of spin and reverse swing, South Africa would have to fight harder.

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