Gautam Gambhir questions ICC Test rankings; says Australia ‘pathetic’ away from home, India should be No. 1

By Team Newsable | First Published May 11, 2020, 4:33 PM IST

'For me, India should be there (No. 1 in ICC Test ranking) because Australia... I have serious doubts. On what front have you given Australia the No. 1 Test ranking? They have been absolutely pathetic away from home, especially in the sub-continent,' said Gautam Gambhir

Bengaluru: Former India opening batsman Gautam Gambhir has questioned the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the Test rankings and also the points awarded to teams in the World Test Championship (WTC).

Recently, India were replaced as the No. 1 Test side by Australia in the ICC rankings. The Virat Kohli-led side are currently at the third spot.

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“India have yielded the top spot for the first time since October 2016. This is largely because India had won 12 Tests and lost just one Test in 2016-17, the records of which were removed in the latest update,” an ICC statement said after the annual update of the rankings.

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Talking about the rankings, Gambhir questioned the ICC. “No, I am not surprised (India are down to No. 3). I don’t believe in points and ranking system. Probably the worst was there in the World Test Championship... that you win the same points when you win a Test match away from home. That’s ridiculous,” the former left-handed batsman said on ‘Cricket Connected’ show on Star Sports.

“If you have to see from the overall impact point of view, yes, India have lost a series away from home but won against Australia. Hands down, they have been the most competitive side. They won a Test in South Africa, won a Test match in England... not many countries have done that,” he added.

Also read: Gambhir picks All-time India Test XI

The 2011 World Cup winner said India should be on top of the Test rakings. He said Australia were “absolutely pathetic” in overseas Tests.

“For me, India should be there (No. 1) because Australia... I have serious doubts. On what front have you given Australia the No. 1 Test ranking? They have been absolutely pathetic away from home, especially in the sub-continent,” Gambhir, who is now a BJP MP, said.

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