India aim to consolidate its number-one ranking against England

Nov. 8 (CRICKETNMORE) - Virat Kohli's Team India will aim to consolidate its number-one ranking in the upcoming series against England. Number-one ranked India (115 points) takes on fifth-ranked England (105 points) in a five-Test series starting in Rajkot on Wednesday.

The top four-ranked Test sides are separated by just 10 points and as these four sides are already or preparing to flex their muscles in the purest format of the game, changes in the upper half of the draw are on the cards depending on how the upcoming series pan out.  

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Focusing on the India versus England series, Virat Kohli’s side will be aiming to, at least, draw the series which will seal its number-one ranking at the end of the year, irrespective of the outcome of the Australia v South Africa and the New Zealand v Pakistan series. In this scenario, India will finish on 113 points and will, thus, be untouchable even if Australia bounces back to win the remaining two Tests against South Africa or Pakistan wins both the Tests against New Zealand.  

A 3-2 series win will lift India to 116 points, a 4-1 series win will put it on 119 points and it will jump to 122 points in case of a 5-0 win.   Similarly, the incentive for Alastair Cook’s side is equally high as it will be aiming to move up the order. A 3-2 series win will put it on 108 points, while a 4-1 series win will mean it will move ahead of India to 110 points.

Latest Team Rankings
 
Rank Team              Points
1          India              115
2          Pakistan        109
3          Australia        108
4          England         105
5          South Africa   96
6          Sri Lanka        95
7          New Zealand   91
8          West Indies     69
9          Bangladesh     65
10        Zimbabwe       08

Source - ICC-Cricket