Virat Kohli’s Men in Blue were knocked off by Australia in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings for the top spot in Tests. Australia also became the number one ranked T20 side after displacing Pakistan. The World Champions, England, meanwhile have held onto the no.1 spot in ODI rankings.

India was the no.1 Test team in the world since October 2016, but in the latest annual update, all the records of the season 2016-17 were removed, India won 12 and lost just one test during the time. 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons were weighted at fifty percent each, and last season, i.e. 2019-20 was weighted at hundred percent. 

Our country currently is ranked at third spot with 114 points; New Zealand is second at 115 points behind the leaders Australia which is at 116 points. Since the launch of Test rankings in 2003, this is the second closest the top three teams have been with only two points separating them. India still is in the pole position in the ICC World Test Championship – a league which consists of six series played by each of the top nine test sides. Also, India remained second in ODI rankings as England extended their lead from 6 to 8 points in the revised rankings. However, our country is at 119 points behind England at 127; New Zealand is third at the moment with 116 points. India gained a place in the T20 rankings, ranking third with 268 points, only two points behind England at second with 270 points. Australia dethroned the Pakistan team which was ranked no.1 for the last 27 months, to top the T20 rankings, comfortably placed at 278 points.

Australian coach Justin Langer was happy with his side’s improvement and wished for some breathing space in the Test rankings. He admitted that Australia would have to beat India in India and also in Australia if they are to win the ICC World Test Championship and create a big gap in the Test rankings table.