Former Team India opener Gautam Gambhir has questioned International Cricket Council (ICC) for granting Australia No.1 Test ranking status, as he believed India were most competitive side during the period.
India’s 42-month reign at the top of the ICC Test rankings came to an end earlier this month when the ICC updated its rankings, removing the points that teams had accumulated from 2016-17 season.
“India have yielded the top spot for the first time since October 2016. This is largely because India had won 12 Tests and lost just one Test in 2016-17, the records of which were removed in the latest update,” an ICC statement said.
India were pushed to the 3rd spot with Australia leading the pack and New Zealand at the 2nd spot.
“No, I am not surprised (India slipping to No. 3). I don’t believe in points and ranking system. Probably the worst was there in the World Test Championship… that you win the same points when you win a Test match away from home. That’s ridiculous,” Gambhir said during the Cricket Connected show on Star Sports.
“Yes, absolutely. 100 percent. If you have to see from the overall impact point of view, India have lost series away from home but won against Australia. Hands down, they have been the most competitive side. They won a Test in South Africa, won a Test match in England… not many countries have done that.
“For me, India should be there (No. 1) because Australia… I have serious doubts On what front have you given Australia the No. 1 ranking? They have been absolutely pathetic away from home, especially in the sub-continent.”
Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir also lauded the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for apparently agreeing to tour Australia later this year if it sees their players undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine period in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
India’s tour of Australia will begin with a T20 tri-series in October and is scheduled to end with a four-match Test series in December. The speculation on the tour was because of the travel restrictions currently in place and the uncertainty surrounding how long it would take to control the pandemic.
According to Sydney Morning Herald, Arun Dhumal, treasurer of BCCI, said that the Indian players would go into isolation in Australia for a fortnight before the much-awaited tour officially kicks-off.
“Good on the BCCI. Fabulous. This is a very, very positive sign. They are probably looking at the bigger picture, it will change the mood of the country. Winning the series is a different thing, it’s very important but it will probably change the mood of both the countries as well. Not only India but probably for Australia.
