India needs to win Sri Lanka series to remain at the top of the pile

Team India perched at the top of the Test rankings during their remarkable home Test season earlier in the year. The tougher task is to maintain the No. 1 ranking as the competition for the same is colossal. Currently, on the tour of Sri Lanka, India needs to win the series in order to maintain their top spot in the rankings.

Fine start to the tour

India has started exceptionally well in the Galle Test match. After winning the toss, Kohli opted to bat a decision which was vindicated by his batsmen. Shikhar Dhawan made a memorable comeback to the Test side scoring a brisk century while Pujara gave him good company scoring a half-century himself. Both were involved in a 200-run stand for the second wicket. India handed a debut to Hardik Pandya in this Test match.

South Africa, who are also playing a Test series in England, are trailing behind India at the No. 2 spot. If Sri Lanka upset India in this series, South Africa has every chance of climbing ahead of India. For Kohli’s men, the equation is simple: win the series and regain the No. 1 ranking.

“If Virat Kohli’s side wins the series against Sri Lanka, then it will end South Africa’s chances of reaching the top even if it wins the remaining two Tests against England,” ICC said.

“However, if Sri Lanka turns the tables on the number-one ranked Test side, then South Africa will have a sniff of the top position.

“If Sri Lanka beats India 2-1 or 2-0 or 1-0, then South Africa will need to beat England by 2-1 or better to surge to the top of the Test rankings. If Sri Lanka wins all the three Tests against India, then South Africa will need to draw the series against England.”

India can get two points extra if they win 2-0

South Africa had drawn level in the series when they won the Trent Bridge Test by a whopping 340 runs. With two Tests to go, the visitors have a chance of winning the series. India have a chance of increasing their points if they whitewash hosts, Sri Lanka. They will gain two points and rise to 125 points.

“On the other side of the coin, if India wins 3-0, then it will gain two points and rise to 125 points while Sri Lanka will drop two points to finish on 89 points. To retain its pre-series points, India will need to either win 2-0 or 3-0, otherwise it will lose points,” ICC added.

Kohli has expressed his desire to dominate as a team in world cricket. They need to keep winning away from home in order to achieve their goal. Team India have had a great 12 months in Test cricket and are keen on maintaining the momentum in this season as well.