The International Cricket Council (ICC) website on Wednesday, February 15, made the day of many Indian fans and even the BCCI after it showed that the Indian team had become the no.1 ranked team in Test rankings, after being no.1 in ODIs and T20Is.
This was a huge moment for the Indian team and fans as it was the first time any team had attained the top rank in all three international formats.
However, the happiness was only for a few hours as the ICC had made a goof up and erroneously made the Indian team the no.1 ranked side in Test cricket and moved Australia back to the top position with 126 points to India’s 115 points.
Before the ongoing four-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series began in India, the hosts needed a lead of 2-0 to attain the no.1 ranking and a victory in the series by 3-0, 3-1 and 4-0 would also guarantee the Indian team a place in the final of the ICC World Test Championship 2023 which is to be played in the Oval from June 7-11.
ICC Apologizes For Its Website Mistakenly Showing India As The No.1 Ranked Test Team
However, on Thursday, February 16, 2023, the ICC further shared an update about the Test team rankings at the completion of the two-Test series between Zimbabwe and West Indies, which the visitors won 1-0 after winning the second Test in Bulawayo by an innings and four runs.
West Indies remained in 8th place in the rankings, while Zimbabwe are 10th. Australia will head into the second Test against India in Delhi, starting on Friday, January 17, as the No.1-ranked team with 126 rating points, 11 above India’s 115.
“The ICC acknowledges, for a short period of time on February 15, 2023 that, due to a technical error, India were erroneously displayed as the No.1 Test team on the ICC website. We apologise for any inconvenience caused,” the ICC said.
India are leading the series 1-0 having won the first Test in Nagpur by an innings and 132 runs, with the second match starting in Delhi tomorrow.