India consolidate no.1 position in ICC Test rankings after Sri Lanka whitewash

They have been the no.1 Test team in the world since October 2016. (Source: ICC website screenshot)

India are now 15 rating points clear of South Africa at the top of the ICC Test rankings. India benefitted from South Africa’s defeat away from home to England in the recently concluded Test series. It was shortly followed by India recording a thumping 3-0 series whitewash over Sri Lanka in the latter’s own backyard. India have thus consolidated their top position. They have been the no.1 Test team in the world since October 2016.

India have been on a roll in Test cricket since their win over West Indies in 2016. They played 13 matches at home spread across the latter half of 2016 and early 2017 of which they lost only one and drew two. They defeated New Zealand 3-0, England 4-0, Bangladesh in a lone Test and Australia 2-1. The Sri Lanka series was their first away Test tour since they travelled to West Indies. India won the first Test by 304 runs. Both the second and third Tests were innings victories for Virat Kohli’s side with one being by an innings and 53 runs and the other being by an innings and 171 runs.

But India’s lead can be curtailed as, apart from a scheduled visit by Sri Lanka, they don’t play a Test series for the rest of the year. India’s next Test series is set to be away to South Africa. Virat Kohli’s men can consolidate their top position further if they manage to get a good result out of the series. The series is set to extend over three matches. South Africa lost 3-1 to England in the recently concluded Test series at the latter’s home ground.