India reclaims top spot in Test rankings

Indian bowlers put out an impressive show on Day 4 to dismiss New Zealand for a total of 197 and give hosts India 178 runs win and gain an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Test series.

By winning the series 2-0 with one match to go, the hosts had done their job as far as rankings are concerned as that was the only criteria they needed to fulfill to dethrone Pakistan. The International Cricket Council (ICC) also made the official announcement soon after the match got over.

This win was enough for India to overtake arch-rivals Pakistan in the rankings. After winning the first test at Kanpur, the Virat Kohli-led side equaled Pakistan at 111 points in the ranking charts. With this win, however, India has now taken a clear lead over Pakistan.

However, the upcoming third and the final Test at Indore will be very important, though. If the New Zealanders manage to script a comeback and snatch a consolidatory win, then Pakistan may again topple India from the top if they clean sweep West Indies.

Also read – Twitter Reactions: India seal series at Eden Gardens, regains No.1 position

Pakistan recently became No. 1 in Tests for the first time ever since the current Test rankings were introduced in 2003, by virtue of their 2-2 draw against England. The Indians had earlier topped the Test rankings when they won a four – match series against West Indies 2-0 but Pakistan’s draw against England in a four-match series was enough for them to overtake India.

Here is the latest ICC Rankings: