Those who think T20I’s popularity is a threat to Test cricket, they need to rethink as the Test encounter between teams like India, Australia, England, South Africa and Pakistan are as electrifying and nail-biting as the matches of any other format. Once again it’s the time to catch up the highly anticipated action between India and England as its going to be time for the 5-match Test series; just an ODI match away.
This cricket series would be of some real importance as India has proved their mettle both in the ODI and T20I series as well. Now it will be time for them to prove themselves in the longer format of the game. What would be more in the limelight would be India’s number 1 position in the ICC Test Team Rankings. The question comes right there in the mind is will India be able to justify their 1st position in this prestigious format or 5th-ranked England would tell that they aren’t that bad to lag behind on 5th position?
India and England the teams will be eyeing to clinch the victory in this important series as that would boost their confidence before the World Cup 2019 next year plus the change or control at the rankings would also be under consideration.
ICC Test Team Rankings
| Pos | Team | Matches | Points | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 29 | 3,634 | 125 |
| 2 | South Africa | 32 | 3,589 | 112 |
| 3 | Australia | 33 | 3,499 | 106 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 23 | 2,354 | 102 |
| 5 | England | 39 | 3,772 | 97 |
| 6 | Sri Lanka | 35 | 3,182 | 91 |
| 7 | Pakistan | 21 | 1,853 | 88 |
| 8 | West Indies | 29 | 2,235 | 77 |
| 9 | Bangladesh | 19 | 1,268 | 67 |
| 10 | Zimbabwe | 8 | 12 |