04-10-2016, 01:05 PM
India dethrone Pakistan to become number one Test team
Virat Kohli-led India completed a convincing 178-run win over New Zealand in the second Test at the Eden Gardens on Monday (October 3), thereby replacing arch-rivals Pakistan at the top of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings.
India should ensure that they win or at least manage a draw in the third and final Test in Indore to hold onto the top spot. Pakistan, who climbed to the No. 1 Test rank for the first time ever after completing a 2-2 draw in their four-game tour of England, have now slipped to the second spot, five points ahead of third-placed Australia.
If India do win the Indore Test and complete the 3-0 whitewash, they will finish with 115 points while a draw will see them finish on 113 points. On the other hand, Pakistan can't go past India even if they blank West Indies 3-0 in their upcoming Test series. However, a loss in Indore will see India finish with 111 points, placing them below Pakistan (112) in the rankings list.
This is also the fourth time that India have become the No.1 team in the ICC Test rankings. They were on top of the table between November 2009 to August 2011, a brief period between January-February 2016 and then in August 2016.
Anurag Thakur, the president of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), congratulated the team on reclaiming the top spot. "I congratulate Team India for their dominant show in Test cricket, which is the pinnacle of sport. The ICC Test rankings rightly reflect the impressive performance of Virat Kohli and his boys have displayed since the overseas tour of Sri Lanka, where they registered a series victory after 22 years."
India should ensure that they win or at least manage a draw in the third and final Test in Indore to hold onto the top spot. Pakistan, who climbed to the No. 1 Test rank for the first time ever after completing a 2-2 draw in their four-game tour of England, have now slipped to the second spot, five points ahead of third-placed Australia.
If India do win the Indore Test and complete the 3-0 whitewash, they will finish with 115 points while a draw will see them finish on 113 points. On the other hand, Pakistan can't go past India even if they blank West Indies 3-0 in their upcoming Test series. However, a loss in Indore will see India finish with 111 points, placing them below Pakistan (112) in the rankings list.
This is also the fourth time that India have become the No.1 team in the ICC Test rankings. They were on top of the table between November 2009 to August 2011, a brief period between January-February 2016 and then in August 2016.
Anurag Thakur, the president of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), congratulated the team on reclaiming the top spot. "I congratulate Team India for their dominant show in Test cricket, which is the pinnacle of sport. The ICC Test rankings rightly reflect the impressive performance of Virat Kohli and his boys have displayed since the overseas tour of Sri Lanka, where they registered a series victory after 22 years."
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05-10-2016, 01:28 PM
BCCI congratulates India on becoming top-ranked Test side
New Delhi, Oct.03 (ANI): The Indian cricket team have reclaimed the No.1 spot in the ICC Test rankings following their comprehensive 178 runs win in the Kolkata Test against the visiting New Zealand. India have now taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Test series with the final Test to be played in Indore from October 8-12. A washout in the fourth Test at Port of Spain against the West Indies during India's last Test series had cost Virat Kohli's men the top spot by just one point. It denied them the opportunity to defend their No.1 ranking, acquired from Australia earlier. The result of the final Test meant India won the series against the West Indies 2-0- finishing on 110 points - one behind Pakistan and two ahead of third-ranked Australia. With yet another powerful show, India are now firmly on top of the table and set to consolidate their position further. After their win in the second Test, India have 113 rating points and a win in the third Test will add two more, taking their tally to 115. There will be no immediate change in India's reign at the top even if Pakistan and Australia win their respective bilateral Test series against the West Indies and South Africa respectively. BCCI President, Anurag Thakur said: "I congratulate the Team India for their dominant show in Test cricket, which is the pinnacle of sport. The ICC Test rankings rightly reflect the impressive performance of Virat Kohli and his boys have displayed since the overseas tour of Sri Lanka, where they registered a series victory after 22 years. The bumper home season will allow the Indian fans to savour top-class action as India are set to host England, Bangladesh and Australia." Ajay Shirke, Hony. Secretary said: "The Board has always put Test cricket on the top of the priority list and nothing is more pleasing than to see Team India take the No.1 spot in the ICC Test rankings. India have set high standards on and off the field and this is a result of the hard work of all concerned." (ANI) |