Big update in ICC Rankings; India drop to 3rd position, Australia emerge as top-ranked Test team

Indian Test cricket team would want to forget the recently-concluded South Africa Test series as soon as possible. The visitors had to suffer a 2-1 defeat in the Test series and now the Indian Test team had to slip two spots on the ICC Test team ranking.

Indian team are currently at third spot with 3717 points and a rating of 116. 

Defeat against South Africa

The Virat Kohli-led Test team had started the series on a promising note after securing the first Test by 113 runs. But the hosts managed to script a memorable comeback after that as they won two back-to-back victories to clinch the three-match Test series.

KL Rahul had led the side in absence of Kohli in the second Test match but team India suffered a defeat by 7 wickets in the second Test of the series.

In the final Test match, Kohli did return to the side but there was not much difference in the results as the hosts registered another 7-wicket victory to win the Test series. 

A victory in the Test series helped the Proteas in securing fifth spot in the latest ICC Test Team rankings. The Dean Elgar-led side climbed up one spot and they presently have 2271 points with a rating of 99. 

Aussies lead

The Australian Test team on the other hand, had a memorable Ashes Test series as the side led by Pat Cummins thrashed the English team and conquered the Ashes in a convincing fashion. The English team captained by Joe Root suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat in the five-match Ashes Test series.

A dominating performance in the Ashes helped the Aussies to reclaim the top spot in the rankings. Australia currently have 2736 points with a rating of 119 after playing 23 matches till now.

The English team on the other hand, currently find themselves at fourth position with 4151 points in their tally with a rating of 101 from 41 Test matches.

Pakistan Test team are at sixth position in the latest rankings with 2787 points and a rating of 93.

Bangladesh Test team did win the first Test against New Zealand but a defeat in the final Test saw them at ninth position with a rating of 53.