India slash Proteas' lead atop ICC rankings

Cape Town - India have moved into second place in the ICC Test Championship table after winning the four-Test series against South Africa by 3-0.

The series result has helped Virat Kohli’s side gain 10 points, which has lifted them from 100 points to 110 points and ahead of both Australia and Pakistan, who have slipped one place each to third and fourth, respectively.

Hashim Amla’s Proteas' side have retained their No 1 ranking, but their lead at the top has been slashed from 16 points to just four.

India have no more Tests before the annual April 1 cut-off date, but third-ranked Australia will host eighth-ranked West Indies in a three-Test series from December 10, sixth-ranked New Zealand will go head to head with seventh-ranked Sri Lanka also from December 10, while fifth-ranked England will travel to South Africa for a four-Test series which will start in Durban on December 26.

To finish as the No 1 ranked Test side at the annual cut-off date, South Africa will have to, at least, draw the series with England.

Failure to do so will result in the Proteas falling from the top pedestal and handing the No 1 position to Australia (provided they win the series against the West Indies by 3-0).

ICC Test Championship standings: (under rank, country, points)

1. South Africa - 114
2. India - 110
3. Australia - 109
4. Pakistan - 106
5. England - 99
6. New Zealand - 95
7. Sri Lanka - 93
8. West Indies - 76
9. Bangladesh - 47
10. Zimbabwe - 5