Cape Town - Despite his team losing the first two Tests against South Africa, India coach Ravi Shastri insists they looked like the No 1 team in the world.
The Proteas won the first Test in Cape Town by 72 runs, before thumping India by 135 runs in the second Test in Centurion.
Heading into Wednesday’s third and final Test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, Shastri appeared in good spirits when he addressed journalists.
"We had our moments in both Test matches, and we looked like the No 1 team when we bowled out South Africa for 130 (in the second innings in Cape Town),” Shastri was quoted as saying by the ESPNcricinfo website.
“When we closed the gap thanks to Virat’s (Kohli) brilliant innings (in Centurion), and had them two-down just 30 runs ahead, we looked like the No 1 team in overseas conditions. Not many teams look half that when they come to India."
Shastri also refused to complain about the pitches prepared in South Africa and instead lauded his players for taking 20 wickets in both Tests.
“When you take 20 wickets, you have a chance to win. If we had batted better, we might have won."
The majority of India’s recent Test series wins have come on the subcontinent - and even if they lose the current series 3-0, they will remain atop the ICC Test standings, leading the Proteas by a whisker.