To reach the pinnacle of one’s sport is the dream of every sportsman, whether it’s an individual sport or a team sport. Yesterday, India beat New Zealand by 178 runs at Eden Gardens and ascended to the number one rank in the ICC Test rankings. This is not the first time that they have reached the coveted spot but this will be one of the sweetest as they ousted arch rivals Pakistan from the top spot.

They have a chance to remain at the number one position for a long time as they are due to play 11 more Tests at home over the next 6 months. There is no doubt that India deserve to be at the top position. They have won 4 out of their last 5 Test series and drawn the remaining one. Two of these series victories have been away from home against Sri Lanka and West Indies. They have won 11 out of their last 12 Tests at home. They have rewarded for their consistent performances in Tests over the last 2 years.

The first time that India were number one was from November 2009 till August 2011. The second time was for a brief period between January and February 2016. When the beat West Indies in the third Test of the recent Test series in the Caribbean they once again reached the number one spot. However, they could not consolidate the top spot on that occasion as play was not possible in 4 out of the 5 days in the last Test at Trinidad due to a wet outfield. Pakistan then rose to the number one spot by drawing the Test series against England 2-2.

On this occasion, India’s destiny is in their own hands as they will be playing 11 Tests at home where they are used to the conditions. However, they need to win or at least draw the 3rdTest against New Zealand at Indore to be certain of retaining the number one position. If they beat New Zealand in the 3rd Test they will be on 115 points, while they will be on 113 points if they draw the 3rd Test. If they win or draw the 3rd Test, Pakistan cannot overtake them even if they beat West Indies 3-0 in the upcoming Test series. However, if India lose to New Zealand in the 3rd Test, then they will slip to 111 points and go below Pakistan who are on 112 points.

So, India have all to play for in the 3rd Test against New Zealand and they have the added motivation of knowing that they will remain entrenched in the number one spot for some time if they win or draw the 3rd Test against New Zealand. That will be just reward for their consistent performances over the last 5 Test series. All Indian fans will hope that they remain at the number one position for a long time.