Bengaluru, July 26: India need to win the 3-Test series against Sri Lanka to maintain their position at the top of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Team Rankings.
The opening Test started today (July 26) in Galle with captain Virat Kohli winning the toss and opting to bat. Hardik Pandya was handed debut.
"India goes into its three-Test series against Sri Lanka in Galle on Wednesday (July 26) fully aware that it needs to win the series to retain its number-one ranking on the ICC Test Team Rankings," ICC said.
India are currently on top of the Test Rankings with 123 points. South Africa are second with 117 points followed by Australia (100).
South Africa are currently involved in a 4-Test rubber against England. The series is locked at 1-1 with 2 Tests to be played. The Proteas have a chance to challenge India's top position.
"If Virat Kohli's side wins the series against Sri Lanka, then it will end South Africa's chances of reaching the top even if it wins the remaining two Tests against England," ICC said.
"However, if Sri Lanka turns the tables on the number-one ranked Test side, then South Africa will have a sniff of the top position.
"If Sri Lanka beats India 2-1 or 2-0 or 1-0, then South Africa will need to beat England by 2-1 or better to surge to the top of the Test rankings. If Sri Lanka wins all the three Tests against India, then South Africa will need to draw the series against England.
"On the other side of the coin, if India wins 3-0, then it will gain two points and rise to 125 points while Sri Lanka will drop two points to finish on 89 points. To retain its pre-series points, India will need to either win 2-0 or 3-0, otherwise it will lose points," it added.
ICC Test Team Rankings (as on 25 July, before the start of Sri Lanka-India series)
(Read as Rank, Team, Points)
1. India 123
2. South Africa 117
3. Australia 100
4. England 99
5. New Zealand 97
6. Pakistan 93
7. Sri Lanka 91
8. West Indies 75
9. Bangladesh 69
10. Zimbabwe 00
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