India hold firm in ODIs and T20Is, but Test ranking takes a hit

Rohit Sharma (Pic: AFP)

India continued to assert their dominance in the white-ball formats, maintaining a firm grip on the top positions in both ODIs and T20Is. However, in the latest ICC annual men's rankings update, released on Monday, they have slipped to fourth place in the Test rankings, with Australia emerging as the leader in this format.

The rankings, which account for all matches played since May 2024 at 100 percent weight, also consider matches from the previous two years at 50 percent.

In the ODI rankings, India, the 2023 World Cup finalists, have bolstered their position at the summit, thanks to a triumphant ICC Champions Trophy campaign, elevating their rating points from 122 to 124. New Zealand, the Champions Trophy runners-up, have surged into second place, overtaking their Trans-Tasman rivals, Australia, who now find themselves in third.

Sri Lanka, with a series of commendable performances on home soil, including ODI series victories against both India and Australia, have moved up to fourth. This jump comes after a five-point improvement, pushing Pakistan (now in fifth after a one-point gain) and South Africa (sixth, having lost four points) down the ranks. Afghanistan has also seen progress, climbing to seventh following a four-point rise, while former world champions England have dropped to eighth, losing four points.

In the T20I rankings, India, the reigning world champions, retain their top spot, although their lead over second-placed Australia has narrowed from 10 to 9 points. For the first time, the annual update includes 100 teams in the global T20I rankings, expanding from the previous 80 sides. England, the 2022 T20 World Cup champions, occupy third place, while New Zealand, West Indies, and South Africa are ranked fourth, fifth, and sixth, respectively. Sri Lanka's rise in the T20I format is notable, now sitting in seventh, ahead of Pakistan (eighth). Bangladesh and Afghanistan follow in the ninth and tenth spots, respectively, with Ireland climbing to 11th after swapping positions with Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile, Australia has retained its position as the top-ranked Test team, although their lead has narrowed from 15 to 13 points. Pat Cummins' side, with a rating of 126, remains well ahead of the competition. England, led by Ben Stokes, has made a significant leap, moving up to second place, surpassing both South Africa and India.

England's ascent follows a strong performance in the past year, winning three out of four Test series. Their rating now stands at 113, while South Africa (111) and India (105) have dropped to third and fourth, respectively. The top 10 Test teams remain unchanged, with New Zealand in fifth place, followed by Sri Lanka, Pakistan, West Indies, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe.

To qualify for a ranking, Ireland must play one more Test in the next year, while Afghanistan must compete in three more matches.