It's a tricky scenario. You can't really bet your hard-earned money on one team when the two best Test sides lock horns. But if you simply cannot hold yourself back, the loopholes need to be analysed.

South Africa have more than proved themselves on the international arena with scintillating performances on a consistent basis while Team India is touted as the next big thing in the cricketing fraternity. So if nothing, the two Test series will at least decide the ruler of the ICC rankings, at least for now.

The South African team was initially scheduled to play five ODIs but an interference of the cricketing boards, in a bid to save the fading excitement and grace of Test cricket, saw the itinerary being altered to a couple of Tests followed by three 50-over deciders.

Whether or not the encounter between the two sides will live up to the label of the 'Majestic Combat' is to be seen. Now, that is because, both the teams are struggling on various fronts.

If there has ever been a team worthy of replacing the Aussies at the top of the pack, it has been South Africa, hands down. Similar to Roger Federer's supremacy being challenged by Rafael Nadal time and again, it has been the Proteas that has given the Champion Aussie outfit a run for their money every time the two sides have met on a cricket field, at least in the recent past.

The famous Johannesburg ODI where Australia scored 434 runs only to be chased to death by the so called 'Chokers', is an example that supports my above statement very aptly.

Getting back to the loopholes of both the teams, South Africa, the second ranked Test team, have not been in the 'Test-groove' in the recent past. They played two Test series against Australia (at home and away), sharing a trophy each. The only other Test series they have played is the one against England that concluded recently. It was drawn 1-1.

Their pace attack comprises of only two big names - Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel. The spin department is not worth the time and space in the blog. With India being among the best players of spin bowling, Paul Harris and Johan Botha will have to come up with something magical to rattle the heavy line up.

On the other hand, their batsmen have always been tentative to spin bowling and the Indian rank has spinners with enough skills to pose a threat to their quest for Test supremacy.

The above clubbed with a not-so-solid-and-consistent middle order, make enough space for a champion side to penetrate. The African team have also been through a lot of hullabaloo in the cricket board with Mickey Arthur resigning and the selection panel being sacked. They are in the sub-continent with a new coach and the adaptation might just take quite a lot of their time.

India, on the other hand, go into the series without the rock solid Rahul Dravid, courtesy Shahadat Hossain's bouncer. Another middle-order mainstay, Yuvraj Singh, has been ruled out of the series due to injury. Sreesanth will also be missed sorely by the bowling department.

Similar to South Africa, India haven't played much of Tests in the recent past. They overwhelmed Sri Lanka and then reduced Bangladesh to dust but Proteas will be a tough nut to crack. Moreover, India's fielding and bowling had been pretty ordinary. And that is what induced me to call South Africa as the worthy successors of the mighty Australians.

Barring Zaheer Khan, no other bowler seems to be in good nick. A couple of good spells against a team like Bangladesh does not support Ishant Sharma's case well enough.

The loss of the top spot has pinched the team from Down Under and they are as restless as cats on a hot tin roof to get their place back. So, with the Aussies breathing down the neck of both the teams for the top spot, we are sure to witness an intriguing series. Whoa, it seems like a three team battle for the throne! Sound good, eh?

Well, let the teams fight with all their might and I shall choose to lay back and enjoy the unofficial 'Test Championship'.