India retained their numero uno spot in the annual update to the International Cricket Council’s Test rankings, followed by New Zealand on the second position.
With an aggregate of 121 rating points, India maintained their top position in the Test rankings holding a one-point lead over the Black Caps. The two teams are set to face each other in the final of the inaugural World Test Championship, beginning June 18 in Southampton.
After facing the Kiwis in the marquee final, Virat Kohli and company will also take on England in a challenging five-match Test series, starting August 4 with matches in Trent Bridge, Lord’s, Headingley, The Oval and Manchester.
The ICC has arrived at the annual update in Test rankings with a 100% weightage assigned to matches played from May 2020 and 50% to those played in the previous two years.
England have overtaken Australia to gain the third spot, while West Indies have jumped two spots to be placed sixth in the Test rankings, a slot above South Africa.
England’s progress on the ladder is down to the removal of their 4-0 defeat to Australia during the 2017-18 season in the rankings equation. West Indies, on the other hand, have reached their best position since 2013 after beating Bangladesh away 2-0 and securing a 0-0 drawn series at home versus Sri Lanka.
South Africa have drowned to No.7, their joint-lowest in Test ranking history, after an unprecedented decline in their results since the departure of their greats.
Pakistan remain in the fifth position despite gaining three rating points out of their recent 2-0 series win in Zimbabwe.
Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe hold the eighth, ninth and tenth positions in the rankings, respectively. Afghanistan and Ireland, who entered the Test cricket arena back in 2018, are yet to play enough Test matches to be also there on the table.
