India lose No. 1 rank: An unlikely whitewash in Australia Tests will make India lose their no. 1 rank in ICC Test rankings.
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The much talked-about imminent Test series between Australia and India will see the No. 5 and No. 1 teams in the MRF ICC Test rankings contesting with each other. Despite the difference in their ranks, the series is highly likely to be a hard fought one.
It is Australia’s ability to dominate in their home conditions which has made India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane term the hosts as ‘favourites‘ and rightly so for Australia have never let India won a Test series on their home soil.
In which appears to be an unlikely event in the absence of the banned duo of Steven Smith and David Warner, if Australia end up whitewashing India (much like in 2011) in the series, they will also pin down India to become the No. 1 ranked Test team.
For a team which has had its share of problems in the recent past, it would be a significant achievement. The feat has it in it to bring back people’s trust back into Australian cricket after all that has happened earlier in the year.
“A 4-0 series win for Australia will move them into No.1 position in Test rankings; India need to draw one Test to retain top spot. This difference of 14 points means India are expected to win the series comfortably and their failure to do so will result in the Asian side losing points,” an ICC statement said.
With 102 rating points to their name, Australia are currently at No. 5 in the rankings, 14 points behind India. A 4-0 series win for them will give them eight points to reach 110. Subsequently, it will bring India to 108 points at No. 2. To remain at No. 1, India at least needs to draw one Test.
If India win the series 4-0, both the team will remain at their current rank despite change in rating points.
Read some of the latest Twitter reactions on the series below:
