India are still languishing at the fourth position in the ICC Test Championship table even as table-toppers England face the risk of losing their numero uno status in the upcoming three-match Test series against the West Indies at home.
India are placed fourth behind England, South Africa and Australia on 111 points.
For table-toppers England, the upcoming Test series against the West Indies is of immense significance. If England lose the series against the West Indies, starting at Lord's on Thursday, 0-2 or 0-3, they will slip to the fourth position in the table. England are currently on equal points with South Africa but are ranked above after ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point.
But if England lose the series against the West Indies 0-1 or 1-2, they will drop behind the Proteas and second-placed Australia. If England are held to a draw in the series, then they will slip behind South Africa into the second position. In case of a 0-0 or 1-1 series result, England will drop to 114 ratings points -- two ratings points behind South Africa.
If England want to stay as a number one Test team, they will have to win the Test series against the West Indies.Andrew Strauss' side will be hoping to collect maximum points from the upcoming series, so that they can end all hopes of either Australia, Pakistan or South Africa to top the table at the annual Test Championship update.
While a 1-0 or 2-1 series win will keep England on 116 ratings points, a 2-0 series win will earn them one ratings point, while they will finish on 118 ratings points if they win all the three Tests.
Among Test batsmen, Sachin Tendulkar is the only Indian to figure in the list of ICC Player Rankings for Test batsmen, occupying 12th spot jointly with Azhar Ali of Pakistan.
In the bowlers' list, India's presence is marked by Zaheer Khan (12th) and Pragyan Ojha (20th).
