How the upcoming Test series results would impact ICC Test team rankings?

India continued to remain at the top of the list in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) ranking for teams in Tests, thanks to their 2-1 victory over Australia on their soil recently. In the ranking of the batsmen, Indian captain Virat Kohli also maintained the lead to be the world’s best while Cheteshwar Pujara moved into the top three, again thanks to his splendid form Down Under.

India have 116 points, a lead of six point ratings over South Africa – the second spot-holder and eight points over England – the third spot-holder. New Zealand are ranked fourth with 107 point ratings, buoyed by their successive series victories against the Windies, England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. With teams set to play less longer format games now in the run-up to the World Cup in May-July, it is likely that India will maintain their lead in the table. Virat Kohli’s side will play only one Test before the WC which is against Zimbabwe at home.

However, a couple of Test series will be played over the next few months involving some big teams and the results in those series could leave an impact on the ICC’s rankings.

How the upcoming Test series can affect the Test rankings

Windies vs England: England, ranked third, will take on the Windies in the Caribbeans in a three-Test series starting January 23. If Joe Roots’ men clinch the series 3-0 against the Windies who are ranked eighth, then they will go to 109 point ratings, trailing the Proteas, who recently drubbed Pakistan 3-0 in a Test series at home, by just one point. The Three Lions hammered India 4-1 and Sri Lanka 3-0 in their last two Test series – at home and away – respectively. A big victory against the much lower-ranked Windies doesn’t sound unrealistic either.

Australia vs Sri Lanka: The other series starting this week is between Australia and Sri Lanka. Even though the Asians are not having their best of times in cricket, neither are the Australians and India’s victory as the first Asian side to win Down Under could boost the Lankans to go for the kill in the two-game series.

Tim Paine’s men are ranked fifth with 101 rating points while Dinesh Chandimal’s team is sixth, trailing the Baggy Greens by 10 points. The series outcome though is not going to make any difference to the two teams’ rankings. If the hosts win 2-0, they will gain three points and Lanka will slide to 89 points. If the visitors win 2-0, they could go up to 95 rating points which will still be short of that of Australia.

New Zealand vs Bangladesh: Another Test series that will be played in February-March will be between New Zealand and Bangladesh and the Asians, ranked ninth, can at most fancy a chance to touch the Windies who are just one rating point ahead of them.

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