India vs Australia 1st Test – ICC World No. 1 Ranking on Line : Virat Kohli’s Men in Blue and Tim Paine’s Yellow Army will square off for the 1st Test in Adelaide. With one trophy each in kitty for India and Australia — the former won T20 series, while the latter won ODI series — the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will decide which team was the best in this two-month long tour. The 1st Test will be an important one as it will be India’s first day-night Test internationally. Both the teams will lock horns at 9:30 am (IST) with ICC Test Ranking’s World No.1 spot at stake.
According to the world rankings, Australia are currently ranked at the top with 116 rating points. New Zealand is No.2 with a point less. At No.3 is India with 114 points.
Current Test Rankings —
| POS | TEAM | RATING |
| 1 | Australia | 116 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 115 |
| 3 | India | 114 |
| 4 | England | 106 |
| 5 | Sri Lanka | 91 |
| 6 | South Africa | 90 |
| 7 | Pakistan | 85 |
| 8 | West Indies | 79 |
| 9 | Bangladesh | 55 |
| 10 | Zimbabwe | 18 |
Here are the different scenarios and how it will affect the ICC Test Rankings
Scenario 1: If India win —
This is where things get interesting. India need just one win to jump two spots and claim the No.1 spot. They will get four points for the win while Australia will lose three and move to the third spot.
| POS | TEAM | RATING |
| 1 | India | 118 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 115 |
| 3 | Australia | 113 |
| 4 | England | 106 |
| 5 | Sri Lanka | 91 |
| 6 | South Africa | 90 |
| 7 | Pakistan | 85 |
| 8 | West Indies | 79 |
| 9 | Bangladesh | 55 |
| 10 | Zimbabwe | 18 |
Scenario 2: If Australia wins –
A lose can put them a difficult situation as well. While Australia will retain their No.1 spot with 119 points, India will lose two points taking their total to 111 points. With this they would lose crucial lead over England who are fourth with 106 points.
| POS | TEAM | RATING |
| 1 | Australia | 119 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 115 |
| 3 | India | 111 |
| 4 | England | 106 |
| 5 | Sri Lanka | 91 |
| 6 | South Africa | 90 |
| 7 | Pakistan | 85 |
| 8 | West Indies | 79 |
| 9 | Bangladesh | 55 |
| 10 | Zimbabwe | 18 |
Scenario 3: If the match ends in a draw —
If the match ends in a draw, then also India will climb up in the table and take the second spot just one point behind the Aussies. The battle for the World No.1 spot would then move to Melbourne Cricket Ground where the 2nd Test will be played starting December 26.
| POS | TEAM | RATING |
| 1 | Australia | 116 |
| 2 | India | 115 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 115 |
| 4 | England | 106 |
| 5 | Sri Lanka | 91 |
| 6 | South Africa | 90 |
| 7 | Pakistan | 85 |
| 8 | West Indies | 79 |
| 9 | Bangladesh | 55 |
| 10 | Zimbabwe | 18 |
It is worth noting that New Zealand can also become No.1 if they beat West Indies in the ongoing 2nd Test. But the condition is India, Australia match has to end in a draw
Meanwhile, good news for India is Rohit Sharma has been declared fit and will be flying down to Australia for the Test series.