Aiming to reclaim their numero uno status in the ICC Test ranking, South Africa will start their tour of India when they take on Board President's XI in a two-day practice match commencing in Nagpur on Tuesday.
Mumbai batsman Rohit Sharma will lead the President's XI in the match before the two-Test series, in which a 2-0 win will ensure that the Proteas replace India on top of the ICC Test ranking.
A 1-0 result, however, will see both the parties level on 123 rating points.
Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium here will host the first Test from February 6, followed by the second match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata from February 14.
Second-ranked South Africa was recently wrecked by a controversy when Mickey Arthur stepped down as coach citing differences with the cricket board last week.
The entire selection committee, headed by former all-rounder Mike Procter, was also sacked following a 1-1 draw with England at home series.
Graeme Smith's men, however, would try to leave these bitter memories behind and go all out to regain the numero uno Test team status.
National high performance coach Corrie Van Zyl has been appointed as the interim coach for the visitors for the Indian tour which also includes three-match ODI series. PTI
