India were dethroned from No.1 spot in Tests on Friday as in the latest released ICC rankings, Australia and New Zealand consigned the Virat Kohli-led side to the third position in the teams’ hierarchy. Australia have 116 rating points, New Zealand 115 and India 114 in the updated rankings.
“India have yielded the top spot for the first time since October 2016. This is largely because India had won 12 Tests and lost just one Test in 2016-17, the records of which were removed in the latest update,” an ICC statement reasoned.
“They had won all five series during this period including against Australia and England. On the other hand, Australia had lost to South Africa as well as to India in the same period.”
The announcement capped India’s longest streak as World No.1 for 42 months after taking over the top spot from Australia in October 2016. While it was way below the amount of time previous world champions Australia and West Indies have spent right on the top; India’s reign was significant as they have now left behind England’s record of 37 months to claim the third spot on this elite list.
Even though the rankings were formally taken over by the ICC in 2003, the rankings system also acts retrospectively to outline the performances of teams and players from the past. Utilizing the same, Australia, with its 95-month long tenure as World No.1 from September 2001 to July 2009 emerge as the runaway leaders in this aspect.
The longest reigns by teams as number one Test side:
- Australia (2001-2009) – 95 months
- West Indies (1981-1988) – 89 months
- Australia (1959-1963) – 60 months
- West Indies (1964-1968) – 60 months
- Australia (1995-1999) – 44 months
- Australia (1974-1978) – 43 months
- India (2016-2020) – 42 months
- Australia (1952-1955) – 41 months
- England (1970-1973) – 37 months
