We'll soon know who the world's No. 1 Test team is- Ian Chappell

Published - 07 Jan 2018, 03:42 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:47 PM

An upcoming couple of months will be the real championship of cricket feels Ian Chappell. Former Australian legend has represented 75 Test matches and 16 ODIs scoring 5345 and 673 runs respectively.

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To start with it’s India versus South Africa and that will be closely followed by the Australians’ tilt with the Proteas. After Australia decimated England in the Ashes series, these are the top three teams in the ICC rankings, with India currently topping the chart. At the conclusion of these two series, there will be a clear picture of who will be the best Test team in the world.

Both the series will be exciting with top batsmen like Steven Smith, Virat Kohli, and AB de Villiers. Australia and South Africa have bowling attacks which have given nightmare to all the batsmen with India not lagging far behind.

Hardik Pandya Cape Town South Africa India
Hardik Pandya scored 93 runs and took two wickets on day 2 of the Cape Town Test.

Chappell further feels Hardik Pandya has the potential to enhance India’s chances of winning abroad. He further admits that India was in search of a seaming all-rounder after Kapil Dev, who will give them the opportunity of two spinners on any conditions.

The 74-year old also admitted that comeback of AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn to the Test squad could lift South Africa to the top once again.

Talking about young pace bowlers, Chappell rated Kagiso Rabada and Pat Cummins as the best.

Kagiso Rabada, ICC Test Rankings, James Anderson, Ravindra Jadeja, South Africa vs Bangladesh
(Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

There are none better at the moment than Kagiso Rabada and Pat Cummins; both young and with subtle skills as well as lightning pace. The opposition batsmen better be watching the ball closely or else they’re going to be found wanting,” Chappell stated.

According to Chappell, the spinning duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are a dominant force in the spinning department, however; Nathan Lyon and Keshav Maharaj are not too behind. Australia’s David Warner is the best among entertainer taking the attack back to bowlers as per the Australian legend. Talking about clinical batsmen, Chappell said,

Both Cheteshwar Pujara and Hashim Amla have a thirst for runs that is unquenchable and epitomise the importance of having a top-class player in the No. 3 slot.”

Sharne Warne, Ashes 2017-18, Virat Kohli, Steven Smith, Australia, India, Test Format,
Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Among the three captains, Chappell rated Steve Smith higher for his sheer consistency. Starting a bit slow, Smith has improved since he has started putting more trust on Lyon.

In the 21st century, the best and most exciting series was the enthralling 2005 Ashes contest in the UK. These two series have the potential to challenge that ranking” Chappell concluded.

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Ian Chappell Steve Smith Virat Kohli
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