© BCCI
There is more good news for India on Republic Day. With the Women’s team and men’s team securing wonderful victories in the Twenty20 internationals against Australia in Adelaide, the International Cricket Council released their rankings list which saw India crowned as the new World No.1 in Tests. (Virat Kohli’s Brilliant 90 Helps India To Victory)
In a tweet, the ICC released the updated rankings following England’s whopping 280-run loss to South Africa in Centurion.
BREAKING: After England’s 2-1 series win v SA. India are officially No. 1 in Test Rankings https://t.co/SNq8xEqYeOpic.twitter.com/S1n40SUzXG
— ICC (@ICC) January 26, 2016
Despite the victory, South Africa, who had been the World No.1 in Tests since their series win over England in 2012, were dethroned and India are the new Kings in Tests.
India’s elevation to the top of the Test rankings comes at a time when South Africa suffered a prolonged slump. India registered their biggest series win over the Proteas when they defeated them 3-0 in India. This was India’s second consecutive victory, following their series win over Sri Lanka in their own den after 22 years.
Following England’s series win with victory in the Johannesburg Test, it paved the way for India to gain top spot. With the 1-2 series loss to England, South Africa have slid to number three in the rankings.
In between India and South Africa are Australia, who have held on to the second position following victories against New Zealand and West Indies in the 2015/16 home summer. However, they embark on a tour to New Zealand in February for two Tests and three ODIs. If Australia win the series 1-0 or 2-0, they will dethrone India and become the new number one.
If the series is drawn and if New Zealand win by a scoreline of 1-0 or 2-0, then Australia will go down to third or fourth spot while India will hold on to the top spot.
Source: NDTV