New Zealand vs India 2014: India need to draw series to keep number 2 spot in Test rankings

India will have to at least draw the test series against New Zealand to retain the No.2 position in the ICC Test rankings. Although winning the test series with a 1-0 or 2-0 result won’t help in dethroning South Africa from top spot since it will give the visitors only a one rating point addition while the Proteas are comfortably placed with a ranking score of 133 points.

For New Zealand, a 2-0 win will take them up 82 to 88 points and a jump from the 8th position to the 7th replacing West Indies. India will then lose points to be left with 110 points.

New Zealand also have a chance to jump up over Sri Lanka (6th position) if they win the series 2-0 and the Lankans lose to the Bangladeshis in the second test. A 1-0 win for New Zealand will place them alongside West Indies in the 7th position after which the ratings shall be calculated by decimal point.

India’s star prospect Virat Kohli has an excellent opportunity to enter the top 10 batsman group from his current 11th position. Cheteshwar Pujara (5th) and Ravichandran Ashwin (7th) can also improve their ranks in their respective fields as well.