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Cape Town - India have increased their lead at the top of the Test cricket rankings in the latest update released by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
This is a result of the annual ICC update that takes place on May 1 every year.
As a result, India gained four points, while South Africa dropped five points with the gap between the two teams increasing from just four points to 13.
The calculations that these latest rankings are based on take into consideration matches played over the previous four years with the oldest dropping away.
Then, matches from May 2015 to April 2017 carry 50% weightage towards the rankings, while matches played from May 2017 carry 100% weightage.
India, as the No 1 ranked team will receive $1 million (around R12.2 million) from the ICC.
South Africa will receive $500 000 (around R6.1 million).
Bangladesh have broken into the top eight for the first time in Test cricket with the West Indies dropping to nine, their record low.
Bangladesh captain, Mushfiqur Rahim was elated with move.
"I think our graph is going upwards, which is a good feeling. We have progressed quite well in ODIs. We haven't gone to that level in T20s but we did well in the last T20 tournament. But in Tests, the progress has been over the last four-five years. It is showing in our ranking.
"As it isn't possible to improve by playing one good series, our focus should be on working harder. We need to work that much more to climb up in the rankings. We have those players with the ability to take us further."
