Unlike ICC rankings, no disputing India’s No.1 tag
Trying to fathom how the ICC rankings for Test teams are computed, I deep dived into the complex (in some parts also convoluted) formula employed. I must admit failure in understanding it completely, but discovered some interesting data during the search.
While it is common knowledge that Virat Kohli’s team is currently top of the pops, what astonished me was that this is the 38th consecutive month—from October 2016—that India have been No. 1 in the five-day format!
This led to further search for the best-performing Test team at a stretch since the rankings began in June 2003. Australia emerged undisputed leaders, having ruled for 74 months— from the inception of the rankings till July 2009—under Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting.
As mentioned, the ranking system is complicated and sometimes throws up incredulous results. For instance, New Zealand, reduced to haplessness by Australia in the ongoing series, are currently No. 2. Australia, having demolished Pakistan earlier this season, trail in at No. 5.
Ahead of the Aussies are England (No. 4) and South Africa, thrashed by India some months back, are No . 3. It must be clarified that South Africa, England, and Australia are all tied on 102 points, with New Zealand not much ahead with 111.
But while the system is obviously not foolproof and ICC must look to improve this if it is to be a credible measure, as former England captain Michael
Vaughan pointed out, the length of time spent at the top spot becomes significant. In fact, it tells a story.
Though official rankings started only in 2003, ICC has also done retrospective computing going back to 1952. This provides insight into which teams dominated different eras. I turned the spotlight on West Indies here and the results were fascinating.
Under Garfield Sobers, West Indies were No. 1 for 60 straight weeks between January 1964 and December 1968. However, this achievement was made to look modest by the performances under Clive Lloyd and Viv Richards between March 1981 and July 1988—a whopping 79 months at the top.
West Indies are ranked No. 8, above Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Ireland, which is why the deep dismay at the loss of the Calypso cricket legacy that had enthralled the world even as they beat opponents to pulp.
The point I’m making is that even though the ICC ranking system has bugs, ridiculous propositions arising out of short-term volatility are corrected by the length of tenure at the top. This reflects the consistency which defines a champion side.
India’s 38-month run at No. 1 (second best since 2003) therefore is not an anomaly of calculation, but establishes the prowess of Virat Kohli’s teams in this period. Quite simply, no other team has matched it—certainly not in home matches, and pertinently, not overseas either.
What has contributed to India reaching this dominant position? It’s instructive to use MS Dhoni’s team—which was No. 1 for 21 months between November 2009 and August 2011—as a frame of reference.
Dhoni’s team was perhaps more star-studded than the present one. Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh made for a scintillating line-up. But these players were ageing and nearing the end of their careers.
After 21 weeks at the top, and despite winning the ODI World Cup in 2011, the team started unraveling rapidly—losing 0-4 in England and 0-4 in Australia in 2011 and 2012.
In contrast, though he hit some troughs after becoming captain in 2015, Kohli’s team is riding high for three reasons—richness of talent in Indian cricket, finding the right people for key positions and a captain who plays to win, even riskily at times.
Dhoni’s team from 2011 did not have a settled opening pair as Kohli’s does today. His bowling attack was not as well-rounded either.
Zaheer, Ravichandran Ashwin and Harbhajan were Dhoni’s main wicket-takers then. Kohli has 7-8 at his command, quality pacemen and spinners.
How long can Kohli’s team hold on to the No. 1 ranking?
The unpredictability of sport makes guesswork hazardous. Nevertheless, with key players having at least 6-8 years ahead (if form, fitness and desire are sustained) and ample resources, India have the wherewithal to rival the best teams in the history of cricket.
DHONI’S TEAM FROM 2011 DID NOT HAVE A SETTLED OPENING PAIR AS KOHLI DOES. THE BOWLING WAS NOT AS WELL-ROUNDED EITHER.