Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has lashed out at the ICC-ranking system after Australia replaced India from the No.1 position in Test cricket. He also showed his disappointment against the distribution of points in the World Test Championship 2019-21.
Earlier this month, Team India, which was at No.1 position in ICC Test ranking since 2016, moved to the 3rd spot behind New Zealand and Australia. India had a fall in the ranking because ICC has removed the points that teams had accumulated from the 2016-17 season.
Gautam Gambhir believes India is No.1:
Gambhir is not in favour of placing the Australian cricket team at the top spot. He believes Team India has performed better than the Aussies in every area. He lauded the Virat Kohli-led side, saying that India is No.1 because they have won Test matches in foreign soil, especially over Australia in 2019. Gambhir didn’t even shy to say that Australians have been pathetic in away series.
Gautam Gambhir also lashed out on point distribution system in WTC. He suggested that the team should get more points for away series.
“No, I am not surprised (India slipping 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,” Gambhir said during the Cricket Connected show on Star Sports.
“Yes, absolutely. 100 percent. If you have to see from the overall impact point of view, India have lost 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.
“For me, India should be there (No. 1) because Australia… I have serious doubts On what front have you given Australia the No. 1 ranking? They have been absolutely pathetic away from home, especially in the sub-continent.”
Further, Gautam Gambhir supported BCCI‘s plan for considering the Indian team tour to Australia later this year under safety guidelines. India and Australia are scheduled to play the four-match Test series and three-match ODI series in December.