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New Delhi - India's 178-run victory over New Zealand in Kolkata meant that they will be ranked number one on the ICC Test Team rankings at the conclusion of the on-going series.
India’s top spot is guaranteed irrespective of how the third and final Test in Indore, which will be played from October 8-12, pans out.
Virat Kohli’s side had entered the series against New Zealand trailing Pakistan by one point and needed to win the series to reclaim the top ranking for the fourth time since the current rankings system was introduced in 2003.
And India achieved this in style when they won the first Test in Kanpur by 197 runs and then dominated the Kolkata Test to romp home with nearly a day to spare.
India had previously been at the top of the table from November 2009 to August 2011 and then briefly during January-February 2016 and in August 2016.
India’s next challenge will be to put the number one ranking beyond Pakistan’s reach and this will only be possible if they win or draw the Indore Test.
If India win 3-0, then they will finish on 115 point and on 113 points in case of a 2-0 series win. Either result will mean that even if Pakistan blank out the West Indies, Pakistan will not be able to overhaul India, as the highest they can finish will be 112 points.
However, if New Zealand earn a consolation victory, then India will finish on 111 points, which, in turn, will give Pakistan a sniff to reclaim the number one ranking and the mace.
Pakistan go head to head with the West Indies from October 13 in the first Test at the Dubai Sports City. This will be the first time the two sides, as well as the venue, will host a day/night Test.
