India vs Australia: Here's why India's No 1 ranking is at stake in Test series

India are on 116 points, while Australia are on 102 points in the ICC rankings. This difference of 14 points means the visitors are expected to win the series comfortably and their failure to do so will result in the Asian side losing points

Virat Kohli and his men are at the last leg of their preparations for the upcoming Test series against Australia, beginning from Thursday in Adelaide. The World No1 Test team is considered as the favourites against a struggling home side. However, a few cricket experts believe that the visitors may find themselves at the receiving end by the end of the rubber.

Indian have failed to win an away Test series this year so far. They began the year by losing 1-2 to South Africa followed by a 1-4 loss to England. And if they get whitewashed against the 5^th-ranked Australia, they will surely lose their No 1 rank.

“A 4-0 series win for Australia will move them into No.1 position in Test rankings; India need to draw one Test to retain top spot,” the ICC said in a statement.

India are on 116 points, while Australia are on 102 points in the ICC rankings.

“This difference of 14 points means India are expected to win the series comfortably and their failure to do so will result in the Asian side losing points,” the ICC stated.

What are the possibilities?

If India win the series 4-0, they will move to 120 points while Australia will drop to 97 points. However, if the series result is reversed, then Australia will move to numero uno position on 110 points and India will slip to third on 108 points (0.065 behind England).

For India to successfully defend the top ranking, they will have to draw at least one Test.

A 3-0 series result in Australia's favour will mean that Kohli's men will be on 109 points and the home side will be on 108 points.

A 3-1 series win for Australia means they will finish on 107 points and India will end on 111 points.

The Player Rankings

There is no change to the top-20 batting list, which is headed by Indian captain Virat Kohli. Banned Australian batsman Steve Smith and Kane Williamson of New Zealand are second and third, respectively. In the rankings for bowlers, Ravindra Jadeja is the best-placed Indian at fifth, while R Ashwin was also unchanged at seventh.