South Africa vs India: Ottis Gibson sets his sights on number one Test ranking

Team South Africa head coach Ottis Gibson has set his sights on making his team the numero uno Test side. Currently, the Indian side is sitting comfortably at the helm of ICC Test rankings. However, is South Africa manages to beat India and Australia in their next two assignments, they will escalate to the top spot.

In order to achieve the top spot, they need to whitewash India in the 3-match series and also beat Australia by a margin of 2 wins in the four match Test series in March. Ottis Gibson, as per the quotes in Sportstarlive, conceded that he does not think too much about the rankings in the shortest format. But when it comes to the ODI cricket, he takes the numbers very seriously.

He remarked that the idea of the side is to beat the top class teams and reach the number one spot. South Africa will host India for 3-match Test series with first Test to be played on January 5 at Cape Town.

“In ODI cricket I don’t worry too much about the rankings, but in Test cricket it is a lot different. You play a series against the best teams in the world and then the prize at the end of it is to reach the pinnacle and be called the best team in the world – even if it is just for a series or a week,” quoted Ottis Gibson.

“The objective for this team is to try and get to number one. We feel strongly that if we win the next two series that will put us somewhere very close to being number one again. The next two series will tell us [where we stand] or take us somewhere towards where we want to go. Everybody understands what we are trying to achieve,” he added further.

On the Indian team

Speaking further on their upcoming assignment, Ottis Gibson remarked that the challenge against the Indian team would be a tough one. He remarked that the Indian side has developed a lot over the last few years. The team boasts of several match winners and big occasion players. Gibson believes that players do not become world class by only surviving in home conditions.

Team India has never registered a series win on the South African soil. They have made 6 visits to the South African nation and have lost 5 Test series and drawn one. The challenge for the Virat Kohli-led side is bound to be a tough one.

“They are currently ranked number one and they’ve got a lot of world class players and world class players aren’t just world class in their own back yards. They’re a very good team and I think they will travel a lot better now. We know for sure that it is going to be a tough series. I don’t think you’re going to see them fold as much as they may have done in the past,” conceded the South African head coach.

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