ICC Rankings: In a significant development in international cricket, Australia has reclaimed the No.1 spot in the ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings, surpassing India. This achievement comes on the back of Australia’s impressive performance in recent matches and series.
Australia claims the top position in ICC Rankings after an impressive 2023 season
Australia’s rise to the top was facilitated by their stunning 209-run triumph over India in the World Test Championship decider at The Oval last year. This victory not only improved Australia’s rating to 124 points but also placed them four points clear of their closest rival, India, which now stands at 120 points.
The annual update of the ICC rankings, which takes into consideration teams’ performances after May 2021, played a crucial role in this shift. As part of this update, all results between May 2021 and May 2023 are weighted at 50 per cent, and the ones in the following 12 months are weighted at 100 per cent. This meant that India’s impressive 2-1 series triumph over Australia under skipper Ajinkya Rahane, which finished in January of 2021, dropped out of the rankings period.
Australia on 🔝
Reigning World Test Championship winners overtake India to claim the No.1 position on the ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings after the annual update.https://t.co/rl0Ju11fNu
— ICC (@ICC) May 3, 2024
Despite losing the top spot in the Test rankings, India continues to lead in both the ODI and T20I rankings. In the ODI cricket rankings, India has increased their lead over Australia from three to six points, leading the table with 122 points. In the T20I rankings, India leads with 264 rating points, seven points ahead of second-placed Australia.
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