DUBAI, July 30: Despite losing the series opener, India managed to retain the numero uno status in the ICC Test Championship table by virtue of a hard-earned draw against Sri Lanka in the second Test in Colombo on Friday.
With 130 rating points in their kitty, India is now 11 points clear of second-placed South Africa (119) and will continue to enjoy the top spot in the chart irrespective of the result of the last match of the series.
However, India’s 11-point lead at the top will be short-lived following its failure to win the current series against Sri Lanka.
If India wins the third Test, starting at P Sara Oval in Colombo on August 3, and draw the series, they will drop to 127 points, while the hosts will move to the third place with 115 points, ahead of both Australia and England.
If the match ends in a draw, India will slip to 124 points, just five ahead of both South Africa and Sri Lanka.
However, Kumar Sangakkara’s side will be placed just below Graeme Smith’s men when the ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point.
But another defeat for India will not only see they plummeting to 122 points but it will also lift Sri Lanka to 121 points and to the second position on the Test Championship table for only the second time since the current ranking system was introduced in 2003.
Sri Lanka had previously claimed the second spot in late August last year following a series win over New Zealand and stayed there until it lost 0-2 to India in December.
Australia, which fell from the top spot after losing The Ashes last year, stayed in third position but has dropped from 116 points to 113, just two ahead of England.
England (111), which is presently hosting Pakistan in a four-Test series, occupies the fourth spot followed by Sri Lanka (111), Pakistan (84), West Indies (79), New Zealand (78) and Bangladesh (7).
Meanwhile, Australia continues to top the ICC ODI Championship table with 132 points, 14 clear of closest rival India. South Africa (115) occupies the third position. (PTI)