5 Reasons why Team India’s No. 1 position in Tests doesn’t appeal

2. Record on foreign soil:

India though have won two away series – against Sri Lanka and West Indies – in the past one year, but yet their overall reputation on foreign pitches is not impressive. Between 2013-14 and 2014-15, India lost series abroad against teams like South Africa, New Zealand, England and Australia (they could win just one Test and lost seven), something that doesn’t speak much in favour of their performance away from home.

India, a team which has been playing Test for over eight decades now, have managed not to lose in overseas Test series only 31 times and of them, they have come out winners 17 times. Of them again, India have won Test series outside the subcontinent only 10 times (the first victory came against New Zealand (3-1) in 1967-8 while the latest was against the Windies (2-0) this July-August).

Pakistan, on the other hand, have started playing Tests two decades after India did but they have remained unbeaten in 44 away series and have won in 22 of them. Outside the subcontinent, Pakistan have won 13 times and of those seven have come against the Kiwis (India have won two away series against the Kiwis on the other hand) and three against England (India have won four series in England).

Pakistan have never beaten the West Indies on their turf (drawn three series) while India have done so four times but despite all that, Pakistan’s away series performance looks better. We have compared only Pakistan’s record for it is also a subcontinental team and India recently dislodged it to become the No. 1 team again.