India move up to second place

India's emphatic 2-0 series win against Sri Lanka has lifted them to second place in the ICC Test rankings for the first time since the ranking system was introduced in 2001. Before the series started, India were in third place with 112 points, well behind second-placed England (119). However, India were helped in their climb up the rankings by a resurgent Pakistan, who thrashed England by an identical margin. England lost six points in the process, while India's tally went up to 115.

The ICC rankings include the results of all series completed since August 1, 2002, and a look at India's series results in that period indicates why they are ranked next only to Australia. In the 12 series they have played, India have won six, drawn four, and only lost two - to New Zealand in 2002-03 and to Australia in 2004-05. And the impact of India's debacle in New Zealand has been cushioned by the fact that series before August 2004 carry only 50% weightage in the system. The only other series loss - against Australia - didn't cost India that much either, because of Australia's dominance (teams aren't penalised as much for losing to stronger opponents) and the margin of defeat (1-2).

However, over the next 20 months, it will take plenty for India to retain that position. They have overseas series coming up against Pakistan, West Indies, South Africa, New Zealand and England. Since the system doesn't differentiate between home and away results, India will need to win most of those series to maintain their position. Moreover, the points they accumulated in the two-year period from August 2003 will be halved in August next year, with the more recent results getting full weightage.

The most immediate challenge for India will be to retain their second spot at the end of their series against Pakistan. For that, they will need to at least achieve a draw. If they lose by a one-Test margin (0-1 or 1-2), India will slip down to 111 points, while Pakistan will climb to 108. For Pakistan to go past India, though, they'll have to cleansweep the series 3-0, which will then take them to third place with 111 points, while India will slip into fourth place with 108. With England not playing any series before their tour to India, they'll be hoping Pakistan continue their winning streak when they face India: a series win for Pakistan will put England back in second place.

And while Sri Lanka have slipped to an abysmal seventh spot, the itinerary offers them some solace: after touring England next year, they have home series lined up against South Africa, Zimbabwe, New Zealand and England over a 12-month period.