The much awaited Test series between India and Australia will kick off with the first Test beginning at Pune on Thursday.
The two teams are the top two ranked sides on the ICC Test Rankings currently and the result of the series could see some changes in their ratings.
At the start of the four-match Test series, India are ranked first with a rating of 121 and Australia are second with 109.
Here is how the series result will affect the ratings of India and Australia.
Series drawn 0-0: India 119, Australia 110
Series drawn 1-1: India 119, Australia 110
Series drawn 2-2: India 119, Australia 110
India win 1-0: India 122, Australia 108
India win 2-0: India 123, Australia 107
If India win 3-0: India 124, Australia 107
If India win 4-0: India 125, Australia 105
If India win 2-1: India 122, Australia 108
If India win 3-1: India 123, Australia 107
If Australia win 1-0: India 117, Australia 112
If Australia win 2-0: India 115, Australia 113
If Australia win 3-0: Australia 114, India 114 [Australia will become No.1 on decimals]
If Australia win 4-0: Australia 115, India 113
If Australia win 2-1: India 117, Australia 112
If Australia win 3-1: India 115, Australia 113
From the above scenarios, it’s clear that Australia can displace India at the top of the rankings only if they beat the hosts by a margin of 3-0 or 4-0, which will be a surprising result if it happens.
A poor series for Australia, on the other hand, could allow South Africa to take the second spot depending on the result of the Proteas’ three-match Test series against New Zealand.