R Ashwin rounded off the four-Test series with two centuries and 17 wickets and the India spinner said he had expected a handsome return from the tour of West Indies, which India wrapped up with a 2-0 win after the fourth match was abandoned.
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India skipper Virat Kohli said here Monday that the much improved batting performance by the lower-order batsmen, particularly wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha, was the biggest gain of the West Indies series, which they won 2-0.
The fourth Test ended in a frustrating draw yesterday with rain and wet outfield allowing no play on four consecutive days at the Queen’s Park Oval.
India’s chance of retaining the numero uno position was spoilt by rain for 4 days in a row in Port of Spain.
Kohli said that he was pleased to see Shami and Bhuvneshwar back in full fitness during the India-West Indies series. India are now 2nd in the ICC Rankings.
Pakistan have become the fifth team to secure No.1 ranking in Tests since 2003.
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq told ESPN Cricinfo: “There is no greater feeling than to achieve the number one ranking in the most traditional and purest format of the sport. This team has developed this attitude and we have to keep at it if we want to become the best team in the world”, the 27-year-old added. “If we can achieve these on a consistent basis, then I am sure there will more laurels like this down the line”, he added.
The ICC will present a special trophy to Pakistan in honour of the achievement next month.
“In the existing system it is very hard for a team to maintain its top ranking and positions change quickly”, he added.
Misbah, who has led the side in 46 Tests since the spot-fixing scandal while keeping the off-field image clean, echoed the comments.
James Sutherland, CA’s chief executive, hailed Pakistan on their rise to number one spot, which has come despite them being unable to play matches on home soil for more than six years. The details of the presentation ceremony will be announced in due course.
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The Test team rankings are updated at the end of each series. “It’s quite a remarkable effort and very significant in the context of them not being able to play matches at home”.
