The No.1 Test ranking of the Indian team will be at stake in the upcoming four-match Test series against Australia but the visitors can hold on to the position if it manages to draw even just one game. In the current scenario, the Australian team is standing at the fifth position in the ICC Test rankings.
In the recent statement, ICC said, “A 4-0 series win for Australia will move them into No.1 position in Test rankings; India need to draw one Test to retain top spot.”
There is no change to the top-20 batting position, which has been headed by the Indian skipper Virat Kohli. Banned Australian batsman Steve Smith and Kane Williamson of New Zealand are second and third, respectively.
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In the rankings for bowlers, Ravindra Jadeja is the best-placed Indian at fifth, while R Ashwin was also unchanged at seventh. The four-match Test series starts in Adelaide on Thursday. India is on 116 points, while Australia is on 102 points in the ICC rankings.
Describing the scenario further, ICC said, “This difference of 14 points means India is expected to win the series comfortably and their failure to do so will result in the Asian side losing points.”
If India managed to win the series 4-0, they will move to 120 points while Australia will drop to 97 points. However, if the series result is reversed, then Australia will reach the no.1 position with 110 points and India will slip to third on 108 points (0.065 behind England).
For India to successfully defend the top ranking, they will have to draw at least one Test. A 3-0 series result in Australia’s favor will mean that Kohli’s men will be on 109 points and the home side will be on 108 points. A 3-1 series win for Australia means they will finish on 107 points and India will end on 111 points.
