Ever since South Africa were dismantled as the world’s number one Test team earlier this year, we have seen three teams – Australia, India and Pakistan – grab top spot.
Just last month, India wrestled the number one ranking from Australia after the men from Down Under suffered a humiliating 3-0 loss at the hands of Sri Lanka. India, though, would not hang on to that position for long after their fourth Test against the West Indies was a wash out.
India’s arch-rivals Pakistan would reach the summit of Test cricket after drawing their away series against England 2-2.
Pakistan currently hold a lead of one rating point over India, but Virat Kohli’s side have a great opportunity to go top when they begin their Test series at home against New Zealand this month.
The Indian team will face the Blackcaps in a three-match Test series and a series win by any margin will see them return to the top of the rankings.
Soon after the end of the India-New Zealand Test series, the West Indies will tour the UAE, taking on Pakistan in a three-match Test series.
If India manage to win by a margin of two matches or more against New Zealand, then Misbah-ul-Haq’s men have no chance of catching up. But if India are left with 111 rating points or less, Pakistan can overtake them provided they can register a 3-0 series win over the Caribbean side.
Here are the different scenarios for India depending on their series result against New Zealand…
If India win 1-0: 111 Rating Points – No.1 on decimal points difference
If India win 2-0: 113 Rating Points – No.1
If India win 2-1: 111 Rating Points – No.1 on decimal points difference
If India win 3-0: 115 Rating Points – No.1
If series is drawn 0-0: 108 Rating Points – No.4 on decimal points difference
If series is drawn 1-1: 108 Rating Points – No.4 on decimal points difference
If New Zealand win 1-0: 104 Rating Points – No.4
If New Zealand win 2-0: 103 Rating Points – No.4
If New Zealand win 2-1: 104 Rating Points – No.4
If New Zealand win 3-0: 101 Rating Points – No.5 with New Zealand going to the fourth spot
