India on Monday reclaimed the top spot in the ICC test rankings after winning the two-match series 1-0 against New Zealand. The Virat Kohli-led side defeated Blackcaps by 372 runs in the second at the Wankhede Stadium. The series victory against New Zealand was India’s 14th consecutive series win at home. Virat Kohli became the first player with 50 international wins in each format of the game.
Ravichandran Ashwin took 4/34 while Jayant Yadav picked up 4/49 to wrap up the tail as New Zealand were all out for 167 in the first session, chasing 540 for victory. The host registered its biggest victory in terms of runs with a thumping 372-run victory.
Although New Zealand lost the match, this game will always be remembered for Ajaz Patel’s heroics. The left-arm spinner became only the third player in the history of Tests to pick 10 wickets in one inning. Mayank Agarwal produced an impeccable show with the bat, scoring 150 and 62 in both innings. He bagged the Player of the Match with 212 runs in the match. Ashwin’s 14 wickets and valuable contribution with the bat in the series earned him the Player of the Series award.
In the latest ICC Test Rankings, India now has 124 rating points. The second on the list New Zealand (121), followed by Australia (108), England (107), Pakistan (92), South Africa (88), Sri Lanka (83), West Indies (75), Bangladesh (49) and Zimbabwe (31).
On the WTC table, India are third with 42 points and a win percentage of 58.33. Sri Lanka lead the standings with two wins in as many games and Pakistan are second with a win percentage of 66.66. England are in the fourth position with 29.14% followed by West Indies, New Zealand, and Bangladesh.
