India, which was the No. 1 Test side this time a year ago, has lost a position to slip to the fifth spot now in the latest ICC Test championship rankings table after the annual update took place on Saturday.
The Indian team that last played a Test match in January against Australia, has swapped places with Pakistan.
Pakistan, despite a 0-1 defeat in the three-Test series, which finished in Sri Lanka on Thursday, has moved up to fourth position, pushing M.S. Dhoni’s men down to No. 5.
Meanwhile, England extended its lead as top Test team after gaining 122 ratings points, while Australia moved to the second place.
Although South Africa has fallen to third spot, it can still leapfrog into top position if it manages to win the three-match Test series against England, which begins at The Oval on July 19.
If South Africa wins the series 1-0 or 2-1 it will be level on ratings points with England but when the rankings are calculated to a fraction of a decimal point then Graeme Smith’s team will have the edge.
A drawn series or a 1-0 win will mean England retain the No. 1 position and if Andrew Strauss’s side was to win 2-0 or 3-0 then South Africa would tumble to fourth spot.
Lower down the table, West Indies has fallen below New Zealand, which is now placed at seventh position.
Keywords: ICC Test championship rankings
It is just a matter of time for men in blue, it is something like a journey inside the tunnel, a day will definitely come where a strong effulgence of light will surely lead the way only to see Indian Team right on top.Well, the series against kiwis,England and Aussies will be enough to prove why India still deserves a place at the top. All the best Team India!!..
by the time sachin paaji retires we we will be a proud 15
behind....ire.scot and netherlunds
All India has to do is win the coming series against SL and home series agaginst England and will be in the thick of things moving up the standings.
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