(Image source from: India plans to finish first in South Africa series})

As world's reigning cricket team India polishes up its bat to take on the fifth-ranked Proteas in their own backyard in the upcoming South African series, excitement is running high within both the teams.

The three-match series against South Africa will kick off on 5 December in Johannesburg. India hopes to retain its number-one ICC ODI ranking in the series.

India is currently ranked first with 122 ratings points, while South Africa is in fifth place with 107 ratings points.

While India has nothing more to gain but to upkeep their position, the series will give the South Africa team an opportunity to move up to fourth, but only if it sweeps the series 3-0.

"In such a scenario, South Africa will gain four ratings points to move level with second-ranked England on 111, but it will be ranked below Alastair Cook’s men when the ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point.”

However, if South Africa cinches the series by any other margin, it will retain its current fifth rank.

AW: Suchorita Dutta Choudhury