India is currently the number one Test team in the ICC rankings© AFP
India crushed the West Indies by an innings and 141 runs on the third day of the first Test of the two-match series. Debutant Yashaswi Jaiswal scored 171 as the Rohit Sharma-led side dominated the hosts, followed by Ravichandran Ashwin’s 12-wicket haul. The second and final Test will start from July 20, with the visitors going in as favourites. Currently, Team India is the number one Test team in the world according to the ICC rankings, but even if they beat the West Indies 2-0, their position is far from secure.
With a rating of 121, Team India is at the top of the ICC Test Team Rankings. Australia is second with 116 points. The Pat Cummins-led team can overtake India to claim the top spot in the ongoing Ashes series against England.
Here’s how the situation might unfold:
India beat West Indies 2-0
Australia lead the five-match series against England 2-1. If India beat the West Indies 2-0, Australia will need to win the Ashes by the slimmest margin of 4-1. The third Ashes Test will begin on July 19 in Manchester and the fourth Ashes will begin on July 27 at The Oval.
India beat West Indies 1-0
If the second Test between India and West Indies ends in a draw, Australia should win the Ashes by a narrow margin of 3-1. Bringing out their A-class game in every match, Australia cannot afford to lose any Test match remaining in the series.
India and West Indies ended 1-1
If India lose the second Test against the West Indies, there are two ways for the Pat Cummins-led team to claim the top spot.
1. If the last two Tests of the Ashes end in a draw and Australia win the series 2-1.
2. If Australia win the five-match Test series 3-2
The second and final Test between India and West Indies will be played from July 20 at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain.
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