India’s rise comes ahead of their upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan, scheduled to be played from June 6 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium in New Chandigarh. The match is expected to be an important fixture in India’s continuing Test calendar as they look to consolidate their position in the rankings.
In the broader rankings landscape, New Zealand occupy fifth place with 101 rating points, closely trailing England and India. Pakistan have moved up one position to sixth place, while Sri Lanka remain seventh. West Indies are placed eighth, Bangladesh ninth, Ireland tenth, Zimbabwe eleventh, and Afghanistan complete the table in twelfth position.
India’s improvement in the rankings has been attributed in part to the leadership of captain Shubman Gill. Despite some criticism surrounding strategic decisions made by head coach Gautam Gambhir, the team has delivered consistent performances. India secured a Test series victory against West Indies and managed to draw their tour of England, contributing significantly to their rise in the rankings.
Looking ahead, India’s next major Test challenge will be the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, scheduled to begin on January 21, 2027, at the Jamtha Stadium in Nagpur. The series is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle, with both rankings positions and a place in the final at stake.
Australia continue to dominate the Test format with a strong lead at the top, while South Africa maintain pressure in second place. The latest rankings underline the increasingly competitive nature of Test cricket as teams position themselves for the World Test Championship final race.
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