If not India, then who is the truly deserving number 1 ranked team?

[Ab Fan]

First of all, I would like to clarify the fact that I have no love or interest towards Indian cricket and I am no fan of Indian cricket team either.

Now coming to the topic of discussion, while it is true that current Indian team got whacked by South Africa in tests and are getting humiliated in England all the way, a debate has been arrived whether if this team really is a no.1 ranked team or not?

There are numerous claims that this team is exposed and they are back to 90s era, playing like minnows, and just cant win overseas at all, which leads to another important question:-

<I>If not India, then who really is the truly deserving no.1 team in the world</I>??

Is it England, who got whacked in Australia, India and New Zealand(a team that has been punching bag for Aus, SA and Eng over the years) and could only manage to draw a series vs Pak at home twice in two years??

Is it SA or Aus who got humiliated by SL in SL and were whacked by India as well??

Is it Pakistan who lost tests to WI recently and got whitewashed by Sri Lanka in UAE??

I would have said South Africa if not for the humiliation they got against Sri Lanka.

While it is currently the worst time out there for an Indian fan and make any claims but still I stand up and say, " Indian team are still the strongest contenders for the no.1 ranked team, although this team is not even close to the best Indian team I have ever seen."

Discuss!

 

[Kohli The King of Chase]

India is the number 1 team but, "FOR ME" South Africa is the best team.

 

[Varun]

How can it be England? Please.

I'd give it to either Pakistan or South Africa.

 

[babajee]

Rankings are useless.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

If they are ranked number one then they deserve that ranking because every team is subjected to the same ranking formula. There is no such things as the deserving #1 or undeserving #1. If you've reached the summit then (in the current scheme of things) you deserve to be there - Period.

 

[kuskash]

Unfortunately, no team is number 1. They do well at home, that’s it.

 

[Varun]

I'd give it to either Pakistan or South Africa.

Wait - didn't South Africa get slammed by Lanka just now?

 

[Stewie]

No clear number 1. India, England, SA all three are clearly ahead of the rest

 

[todfod 11]

Pakistan has to be no 1 . They can play anywhere around the world and win in most countries. Pakistan team can challange India with a tough fight on rank turners as well. I would say it is between South africa and Pakistan.

 

[enkidu_]

The 90s comparison is an exaggeration. Back then India won a single overseas test, that is in a whole decade, and that too against a still-poor Sri Lanka.

I think that there's just no one who can be a legitimate #1 nowadays.

The West Indies and Australia of old had ATG batsmen AND ATG bowlers, while nowadays most teams barely have one-two "potential" (not even proven) ATG in their Test XI.

 

[KingKhanWC]

If they are ranked number one then they deserve that ranking because every team is subjected to the same ranking formula. There is no such things as the deserving #1 or undeserving #1. If you've reached the summit then (in the current scheme of things) you deserve to be there - Period.

It only means they are the no.1 team in the rankings but not the best test cricket team.

This clearly proves the ranking system is a complete farce. If India is no.1, meaning the best test team they wouldn't have been humiliated twice in two tests. India is not the best team but only a home track bully because of day 1 rank turners.

Pakistan and South Africa are better(test) teams in all round conditions. You dont need rankings to tell you this but only a basic knowledge of the game.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

India should finally learn to win away from home. Out of all the asian teams India plays the most 4 or 5 match test series against Africa, England and Aus yet we play like noobs everytime. Fans always think that these players played there last time so will definitely do better next time but no we still play like chickens. BCCI should stop embarrassing India and do not organise these 4-5 match test series away from home.

 

[Monsee]

Maybe BCCI dollars should be better used in getting overseas tests in their team's favor then (somehow)?

I can understand the argument, they are still numer 1 but top teams don't fold like they have done in 4 innings now; even if in one innings they scored some runs, thanks mainly to century by Kohli (even he was dropped twice I think), so how will they ever score overseas whenever conditions are such that the ball moves just an inch here or there?

Do they need pitches made to order or exported from india to England/SA/Australia to prove their standings? Or maybe, there should be two rankings: First one for Team that is ranked number 1 based on home performances and another one for Team that 'Does the best while away from Home'?

 

[gazza619]

Rankings are useless.

Exactly! Total waste of time and the points system are not fair

 

[gazza619]

It only means they are the no.1 team in the rankings but not the best test cricket team.

This clearly proves the ranking system is a complete farce. If India is no.1, meaning the best test team they wouldn't have been humiliated twice in two tests. India is not the best team but only a home track bully because of day 1 rank turners.

Pakistan and South Africa are better(test) teams in all round conditions. You dont need rankings to tell you this but only a basic knowledge of the game.

The problem with Pakistan is that they play better than India in England but worse than India in Australia.
For me Pakistan has to start performing better in Australia to get into the bracket of no. 1 team.

 

[Ab Fan]

Rankings are useless.

100% agreed. But suppose if these rankings were fair, accurate and very useful, who do you think should have been the no.1 ranked team at this point?

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

It's remarkable how there is no one team truly deserving of the No.1 ranking. Almost every team gets badly exposed when they tour overseas

India -- Rarely win outside Asia. A one man army overseas

South Africa -- Can't play spin

Australia -- Can't play spin and lost in England and South Africa

England -- Probably the worst team against spin

Pakistan -- Too inconsistent

Sri Lanka -- Not good enough outside Asia

New Zealand -- Heavily struggled against spin in India. Series against Pakistan will paint a clearer picture of exactly how good they are away from home.

West Indies -- Rarely win

Bangladesh -- They might aswell send their Under-15 team on overseas tours

 

[Dagestani_Eagle]

Rankings don't matter
it's just to hype and spice up things

 

[Ab Fan]

Someone gotta be the best team, let's not fool ourselves. Even if they are worse, they must be the best among the worse.

But there must be someone who gotta be the best team. That is what the point of this thread is.

Who is that best team is what I am trying to find out? To India's credit, they did dominated SL in SL and WI in WI like no one did.

 

[Canford Cliffs]

If they are ranked number one then they deserve that ranking because every team is subjected to the same ranking formula. There is no such things as the deserving #1 or undeserving #1. If you've reached the summit then (in the current scheme of things) you deserve to be there - Period.

Brilliant post

 

[JaDed]

It's only a ranking we need test championship to know the real deal.

#1 in other formats doesn't matter, it only mattered in tests coz the mace but with test championship that wouldn't matter either.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

If they are ranked number one then they deserve that ranking because every team is subjected to the same ranking formula. There is no such things as the deserving #1 or undeserving #1. If you've reached the summit then (in the current scheme of things) you deserve to be there - Period.

Winning at home always and not even winning a series here and there away from home doesn't make a team number 1. South Africa, England and Australia all havr won series in India. We have never won a series in Africa and Australia. We even struggle to beat New Zealand at their home. We won a series in England in 2007. That's a long long time. It's pretty clear why we are at number 1 and why we will again go to 4th position very soon.

 

[BDfanforever]

All teams are minnows when touring top teams away. Even Bangladesh can beat this mighty England team in Dhaka.

 

[Kohli The King of Chase]

India is the number one team. We got to it by winning (irrespective of playing at home or away), but there is not a single team who can win at home and away.

In other words, there is not a single team who is dominant and undefeatable.

 

[Canford Cliffs]

Australia won the world cup 2015 and they will remain world champions till 2019 irrespective of how poor they play. Similarly Indian team is rank 1 and unless some other team get as dominant as India (albeit at home) they will truely remain no.1. No one has stopped other teams to organize series at home, demolish opponents like India does and rack up points.

 

[KingKhanWC]

The problem with Pakistan is that they play better than India in England but worse than India in Australia.
For me Pakistan has to start performing better in Australia to get into the bracket of no. 1 team.

How has India performed better in Aus?

 

[iniqbal223]

Frankly speaking, no one deserve to be #1 test ranked team, unless just show up and make 3-2 in their favor, which is least likely to happen.

Scrap ranking system, scrap toss, play test championship.
In last decade or so, every team has manipulated pitches to win at home, that is why test cricket is at dying stage. There is simply no chance for opposition team. What England did in this series, India will do the same in home series: Doctor the pitch and conditions, and settle the score. This is happening for far too long. And the motivation for doing this is to get the #1 spot, test mace, extra $ for the board, etc.

I would say scrap this ranking system, play test championship, and then we will know who is #1.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

It's only a ranking we need test championship to know the real deal.

#1 in other formats doesn't matter, it only mattered in tests coz the mace but with test championship that wouldn't matter either.

What will test championship do? We will not play against Pakistan and even if we win it there will always be a question mark over it that we didn't beat Pakistan to win it.

 

[Canford Cliffs]

How has India performed better in Aus?

Drawn the MCG and SG tests. Almost won the Adelaide one (moral victory). Lost badly in Gabba which is Australia's fortress. We also drawn the series there in 2004 and if Bucknor didnt cheat, we would have won the series in 2007.

I think Pak has not even drawn a test in Australia for ages??

 

[ManFan]

Drawn the MCG and SG tests. Almost won the Adelaide one (moral victory). Lost badly in Gabba which is Australia's fortress. We also drawn the series there in 2004 and if Bucknor didnt cheat, we would have won the series in 2007.

I think Pak has not even drawn a test in Australia for ages??

The difference between the two teams in SA and AUS is one victory I believe.

With PAK still having the SA tour later this year...

 

[iniqbal223]

How has India performed better in Aus?

At least India draw some games in Australia. Pakistan was not able to do that for last 2/3/4 decades. I don't even know when the scoreline was not 3-0 for Australia. Pak had the best chance in 2016/17 series, but they failed miserably, they were in the series for 1.5 matches.

India in Australia :
2003 : 1-1 (4 matches)
2008 : 1-2 (4 matches)
2011 : 0-4 (4 matches)
2014 : 0-2 (4 matches)

Total # of draws: 5
Total # of wins : 2
Total # of losses : 9

Pakistan in Australia:
1999 : 0-3
2004 : 0-3
2010 : 0-3
2016 : 0-3

0 wins, 0 draws, and all painful white washes

 

[Canford Cliffs]

The difference between the two teams in SA and AUS is one victory I believe.

With PAK still having the SA tour later this year...

India have drawn plenty of tests there in last 2 decades and also drawn a series. Pak has not even drawn a match in Aust since 90s. That is very poor record actually. I remember Pak was on verge of winning a test there in 99 and then Gilchrist-Langer won it for Aust on last day. That was the closest they got...rest all were massacares.

As far as SA is concerned, again we drawn a test there in 2013...won a test there this time. Lets see what Pak does...bcoz last time they toured...they got all out for 49 or something in 1 innings.

Pak struggles in pitches with bounce like we do aginst swing.

 

[iniqbal223]

India should finally learn to win away from home. Out of all the asian teams India plays the most 4 or 5 match test series against Africa, England and Aus yet we play like noobs everytime. Fans always think that these players played there last time so will definitely do better next time but no we still play like chickens. BCCI should stop embarrassing India and do not organise these 4-5 match test series away from home.

India has/had the best chance of defeating England. But their performance is terrible. I dont know why Indians love Shastri the coach. He was mediocre cricketer, less than average commentator, and pathetic coach, and BCCI pays hime 1.5 mn $ every year. If BCCI has that much of extra $, they can get the best management, but India has one of the least qualified ones. I don't even know who are Sanjay Bangar, B Arun,etc.

 

[Sam99]

Aus will be team which will dominate when they get smith & warner back. Only thing they are missing is one quality batsman and one quality keeper and they can win everywhere.

 

[Duckworth Lewis]

Pakistan is not the No 1 but they haven't lost a test series against WI in recent times.

 

[hadi123]

Not really anyone as majority of teams are good at home and useless away.

 

[blackanhyellow]

Fact is every team is getting rolled over away.

Therefore no team is truly dominant.

However, rankings are not about dominance. They are simply about number of wins and India must be winning more than other teams. It doesn't matter if they were home victories, since pretty much every team is mostly ranking up points on home victories.

You could argue they schedule more home series, etc... but these types of arguments are useless. If another team wants to take the number 1 spot, just win more games.

 

[iniqbal223]

India have drawn plenty of tests there in last 2 decades and also drawn a series. Pak has not even drawn a match in Aust since 90s. That is very poor record actually. I remember Pak was on verge of winning a test there in 99 and then Gilchrist-Langer won it for Aust on last day. That was the closest they got...rest all were massacares.

As far as SA is concerned, again we drawn a test there in 2013...won a test there this time. Lets see what Pak does...bcoz last time they toured...they got all out for 49 or something in 1 innings.

Pak struggles in pitches with bounce like we do aginst swing.

Both teams struggle to apply themselves, and has lot to do with their strengths:

In swing conditions :
1) Pak batsman score the same 150-250 ish, but Pak bowling comes up good and opposition can be bowled out for same /lower scores
India batsman score the same 150-250 ish, but Indian bowling concedes 400+

In swing conditions : Pak batting == India batting
Pak bowling >>>> India bowling

Flat tracks:
1) Pak batting scores mediocre scores 200-350 ish, Pak bowling is pathetic, they concede far too many
India batting just steam roll the opposition batting, and scores 500+, India bowling, with good score to defend, become more disciplined, and bundle out opposition in 300-400 scores

In Flat tracks:
Pak batting <<< India batting
Pak bowling <<< India bowling

 

[big_gamer007]

If Pakistan can do good in SA then it will be Pakistan..

Otherwise all team are equally poor away from home so whoever plays more matches at home will be #1

 

[iniqbal223]

Aus will be team which will dominate when they get smith & warner back. Only thing they are missing is one quality batsman and one quality keeper and they can win everywhere.

And Spinner
And few quality batsmen who can bat in spin conditions
And good leader
And good quality fast bowlers who are not always injured

 

[ManFan]

India have drawn plenty of tests there in last 2 decades and also drawn a series. Pak has not even drawn a match in Aust since 90s. That is very poor record actually. I remember Pak was on verge of winning a test there in 99 and then Gilchrist-Langer won it for Aust on last day. That was the closest they got...rest all were massacares.

As far as SA is concerned, again we drawn a test there in 2013...won a test there this time. Lets see what Pak does...bcoz last time they toured...they got all out for 49 or something in 1 innings.

Pak struggles in pitches with bounce like we do aginst swing.

Drawn Tests are not something to celebrate.

But India have comfortably outperformed Pakistan in Australia over the last two decades with our last win coming there at the SCG 1996.

In South Africa, both teams have been average with India having three wins and Pakistan with two. Our last win was at Port Elizabeth in 2007.

We got bowled out for 49 last time but there was no shame in that. During that period, SA was a monster and AUS got dismissed for 47 and NZ for 45 while visiting also.

 

[ManFan]

If Pakistan can do good in SA then it will be Pakistan..

Otherwise all team are equally poor away from home so whoever plays more matches at home will be #1

They will most likely win the First Test and then proceed to lose the series 2-1.

 

[big_gamer007]

They will most likely win the First Test and then proceed to lose the series 2-1.

They have a good chance of winning or drawing this time around let’s see what they do..

They might do an India and lose 3-0 with innings defeat but if they prepare well they have potential to do well.

 

[Markhor]

The era of one dominant Test side is over. Every team has flaws and every team has a blot on their away record.

The Test Championship is flawed in that you're not playing every team home and away, but it's the best system that could've been agreed upon by all the members.

Every team will play three home series and three away series, and despite the differences in the number of Tests each team plays - every team will play for a maximum of 120 points per series with a grand final at the end. There can't be any excuses then.

 

[Mute Witness]

At least India draw some games in Australia. Pakistan was not able to do that for last 2/3/4 decades. I don't even know when the scoreline was not 3-0 for Australia. Pak had the best chance in 2016/17 series, but they failed miserably, they were in the series for 1.5 matches.

India in Australia :
2003 : 1-1 (4 matches)
2008 : 1-2 (4 matches)
2011 : 0-4 (4 matches)
2014 : 0-2 (4 matches)

Total # of draws: 5
Total # of wins : 2
Total # of losses : 9

Pakistan in Australia:
1999 : 0-3
2004 : 0-3
2010 : 0-3
2016 : 0-3

0 wins, 0 draws, and all painful white washes

Wow, cant help but notice the gap in years between Pakistan's tours. One series every five or six years! Only a handful of players would last two tours. So you're essentially sending a new team every tour to Australia. India had four tours in 11 years?! Make that five in 15 with this year.

 

[Sam99]

And Spinner
And few quality batsmen who can bat in spin conditions
And good leader
And good quality fast bowlers who are not always injured

They have lyon which is best off spinner atm & i can see agar doing well in asian conditions too.
Batsman & Keeper is needed which i said.
About captaincy i would hand it to some youngster.
Their fast bowlers will always be there for key test matches.

 

[CricVet]

If steyn was fit, I would rank SA 1 regardless wether they can play spin well or not. Of course I expect the wickets to be sporting in that case if we put them on a neutral sruface unlike in Ind, SL, UAE, or Pak (if we were playing in Pak).

Some may whine about Eng conditions, I will rank Eng picthes the best for a #1 ranking for they provide the support to all kind of bowling.

 

[Square Drive]

Pakistan.

Only Indians/Indian wannabes (i.e. those who stopped "associating themselves" with Pakistan due to inferiority complex) will disagree here.

You lot will agree by the end of this year. A little late, as usual, but you will see it.

 

[troodon]

India would have won SA series 2-1 if AB decided to retire a little earlier.

 

[troodon]

Pakistan.

Only Indians/Indian wannabes (i.e. those who stopped "associating themselves" with Pakistan due to inferiority complex) will disagree here.

You lot will agree by the end of this year. A little late, as usual, but you will see it.

No.1 teams do not get destroyed by Srilanka at home.

 

[Madplayer]

No.1 teams do not get destroyed by Srilanka at home.

Pakistan was in rebuilding phase that time with 2 stalwarts retired.

 

[troodon]

Pakistan was in rebuilding phase that time with 2 stalwarts retired.

Bla bla bla. All excuses.

INdia is playing without BK who was built to bowling these conditions and Bumrah who is much better than Ishant. But that’s no excuse.

Iirc, Lankans at that time also were playing without Sanga and Mahela.

 

[Mainul]

Pakistan has to be no 1 . They can play anywhere around the world and win in most countries. Pakistan team can challange India with a tough fight on rank turners as well. I would say it is between South africa and Pakistan.

You are just forgetting that Pakistan recently got whitewashed by pathetic Srilanka at their home venue and also got whitewashed in their last tour to Newzealand and Australia.

 

[BDfanforever]

You are just forgetting that Pakistan recently got whitewashed by pathetic Srilanka at their home venue and also got whitewashed in their last tour to Newzealand and Australia.

Yes, even Bangladesh manged to beat SRL on an away tour. I think thats our only Away test win lol.

 

[KingKhanWC]

At least India draw some games in Australia. Pakistan was not able to do that for last 2/3/4 decades. I don't even know when the scoreline was not 3-0 for Australia. Pak had the best chance in 2016/17 series, but they failed miserably, they were in the series for 1.5 matches.

India in Australia :
2003 : 1-1 (4 matches)
2008 : 1-2 (4 matches)
2011 : 0-4 (4 matches)
2014 : 0-2 (4 matches)

Total # of draws: 5
Total # of wins : 2
Total # of losses : 9

Pakistan in Australia:
1999 : 0-3
2004 : 0-3
2010 : 0-3
2016 : 0-3

0 wins, 0 draws, and all painful white washes

India have drawn plenty of tests there in last 2 decades and also drawn a series. Pak has not even drawn a match in Aust since 90s. That is very poor record actually. I remember Pak was on verge of winning a test there in 99 and then Gilchrist-Langer won it for Aust on last day. That was the closest they got...rest all were massacares.

As far as SA is concerned, again we drawn a test there in 2013...won a test there this time. Lets see what Pak does...bcoz last time they toured...they got all out for 49 or something in 1 innings.

Pak struggles in pitches with bounce like we do aginst swing.

India won 2 games in all those years and no series wins.

Pakistan has also been very close to winning games in the recent series in Aus. Hardly a big difference, both nations have been poor in Aus.

 

[Messiah]

Bangladesh

 

[babajee]

Pakistan.

Only Indians/Indian wannabes (i.e. those who stopped "associating themselves" with Pakistan due to inferiority complex) will disagree here.

You lot will agree by the end of this year. A little late, as usual, but you will see it.

It might not show in the rankings, but Pakistan will be the undisputed number 1 team across formats in the coming years.

 

[Ab Fan]

Unfortunately, India's overseas legacy over the years has been drawn some matches in Australia and South Africa when the other Asian teams generally get whacked away terribly. Perhaps, it can be said that India is a no.1 team but it is also true that there is not a single series worth boosting about. Even at home, it is not like they have won against any strong Asian side because there is none really out there whom they play.

The Indian team of 2007-2010 atleast won series in England and New Zealand and drew in South Africa. Their performance in Australia 2007 series was quite impressive as well.

 

[Square Drive]

No.1 teams do not get destroyed by Srilanka at home.

If you're bringing up the past, then also do check out the WL ratio of all teams over the past few years, and also make sure you check out which team has the highest number of away wins.

Fact is, you lot got smashed badly just a couple of hours ago and are hurting. You are carrying people like Karthik in your team inspite of having a population of over a billion

Meanwhile, Pakistan is building an exciting young team across formats that is only getting better and better by the day.

 

[JaDed]

What will test championship do? We will not play against Pakistan and even if we win it there will always be a question mark over it that we didn't beat Pakistan to win it.

Lol ,if we are winning that we are #1,coz all other variables involved.

It's not like it's Asia cup where it's incomplete without India and Pakistan.

 

[Ab Fan]

If you're bringing up the past, then also do check out the WL ratio of all teams over the past few years, and also make sure you check out which team has the highest number of away wins.

Fact is, you lot got smashed badly just a couple of hours ago and are hurting. You are carrying people like Karthik in your team inspite of having a population of over a billion

Meanwhile, Pakistan is building an exciting young team across formats that is only getting better and better by the day.

Pakistan has highest away wins since 2011 because they have won matches against the likes of Ireland and Zim away which any team would have done. India did won against SL and WI away.

Also, your lost number of matches are very higher as well.

ICC rankings are farce but how can a team ranked no 7 be a deserving no.1 all of a sudden?

 

[JaDed]

Indian team getting bashed left and right by PCT fans which is fine coz there is no excuse but saying PCT was in a building phase against a team Lanka which was in a building phase as well is pretty amusing.

 

[barah_admi]

As I've been saying for a long, long time now, since the fall of the great South African side, there is no genuine, consensus number one beyond the rigged ranking system.

The reality is, Eng, SA, Aus, Pak and India are all "top" sides, who have more often than not, lost to their toughest opponents away and won at home. This is why a test championship is needed....albeit one in which all teams MUST play each other

 

[babajee]

Indian team getting bashed left and right by PCT fans which is fine coz there is no excuse but saying PCT was in a building phase against a team Lanka which was in a building phase as well is pretty amusing.

We lost that series due to selections. It’s as simple as that.

 

[shaaik]

Australia won the world cup 2015 and they will remain world champions till 2019 irrespective of how poor they play. Similarly Indian team is rank 1 and unless some other team get as dominant as India (albeit at home) they will truely remain no.1. No one has stopped other teams to organize series at home, demolish opponents like India does and rack up points.

How many home and away test matches did India play on their way to nunber 1 rankings ??

 

[topspin]

No room for me to celebrate India's loss - after all we can't even beat Sri Lanka at home and are ranked 7th in tests.

It's like Bangladesh fans celebrating Pakistan's loss.

 

[ManFan]

No room for me to celebrate India's loss - after all we can't even beat Sri Lanka at home and are ranked 7th in tests.

It's like Bangladesh fans celebrating Pakistan's loss.

If we go by rankings, India are Number One yet still two down.

They were Number One last year and got whooped by a Number Eight team.

Hmm...

 

[Mamoon]

If we go by rankings, India are Number One yet still two down.

They were Number One last year and got whooped by a Number Eight team.

Hmm...

Rankings are the only thing to go for. Opinions of PPers counts for nothing.

No one cares what Pakistani PPers think - teams play Test cricket for the Mace, and the Mace goes to the number one ranked team. That is all.

Our fans can consider India the 10th ranked team in the world if they want, but they are just empty words and hot air.

 

[ManFan]

Rankings are the only thing to go for. Opinions of PPers counts for nothing.

No one cares what Pakistani PPers think - teams play Test cricket for the Mace, and the Mace goes to the number one ranked team. That is all.

Our fans can consider India the 10th ranked team in the world if they want, but they are just empty words and hot air.

Rankings are cumulative.

They show who has been the most consistent over a period of time.

But that does not always translate to either well meaning series results as we are seeing right now or the outcome between a lower-ranked opponent as we saw last year.

No one is denying India are #1 in Tests but it’s hard to ignore their current state.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

I think somewhere along the line people stopped enjoying test cricket. Now it’s just a ranking measuring contest where one team can play as bad as they like overseas as long as they don’t loose in their home conditions. There’s truly no number 1 side going around these days.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Rankings are the only thing to go for. Opinions of PPers counts for nothing.

No one cares what Pakistani PPers think - teams play Test cricket for the Mace, and the Mace goes to the number one ranked team. That is all.

Our fans can consider India the 10th ranked team in the world if they want, but they are just empty words and hot air.

Are you a cricket fan or a defender of Bharat?

The mace is just laughable as the rankings mean nothing because the team with the mace has not just been beaten twice but humiliated like minnows. Defend that.

 

[Mamoon]

Rankings are cumulative.

They show who has been the most consistent over a period of time.

But that does not always translate to either well meaning series results as we are seeing right now or the outcome between a lower-ranked opponent as we saw last year.

No one is denying India are #1 in Tests but it’s hard to ignore their current state.

Number one rank does not mean that a team is invincible. Of course it is cumulative, and that is why India deserves it. If we look at the last two years or so, no team has a stronger claim than India.

 

[Mamoon]

Are you a cricket fan or a defender of Bharat?

The mace is just laughable as the rankings mean nothing because the team with the mace has not just been beaten twice but humiliated like minnows. Defend that.

You can laugh at the mace all you want, it doesn't change a thing. It is the most coveted achievement in cricket along with the World Cup, and your opinion on it will not change anything. As I said, you can consider India the worst team in the world if you want, but that won't change anything.

 

[Stewie]

The only difference between the much vaunted Indian batting and the much maligned Pakistan batting right now is the fact they make hay while the sun shines and Pakistanis don’t. Technically, they are proving to be poor much like their Pakistani counterparts and can fold to swing and seam and bad conditions.

On top of that their bowlers don’t know how to utilize friendly conditions. Maybe they should stick to playing in Asia and playing the IPL. Just boycott countries like England, NZ, Aus, SA and WIndies..

 

[JaDed]

We lost that series due to selections. It’s as simple as that.

That's like Indian fans saying we lost this test coz no Bumrah and Bhuvi who were our top bowlers in SA tour.

 

[KingKhanWC]

You can laugh at the mace all you want, it doesn't change a thing. It is the most coveted achievement in cricket along with the World Cup, and your opinion on it will not change anything. As I said, you can consider India the worst team in the world if you want, but that won't change anything.

You are just upset your team has been taken to the cleaners like kids playing against men.

People remember series wins, trophies, nobody cares about the mace :

Im not here to change anything but to post my opinion which you are doing. Get off your high horse, your opinion means nothing too unless it's for comedy value.

 

[Square Drive]

Pakistan has highest away wins since 2011 because they have won matches against the likes of Ireland and Zim away which any team would have done. India did won against SL and WI away.

Also, your lost number of matches are very higher as well.

ICC rankings are farce but how can a team ranked no 7 be a deserving no.1 all of a sudden?

LOL you're bringing up the number of games we lost, even though our WL ratio is higher. Nice try.

As I said, it'll all be clear by the end of this year.

 

[babajee]

That's like Indian fans saying we lost this test coz no Bumrah and Bhuvi who were our top bowlers in SA tour.

No, because it was your batting that let you down in the first place.

 

[Mamoon]

You are just upset your team has been taken to the cleaners like kids playing against men.

People remember series wins, trophies, nobody cares about the mace :

Im not here to change anything but to post my opinion which you are doing. Get off your high horse, your opinion means nothing too unless it's for comedy value.

I am not upset. I don't care about the Indian team. In fact, I am happy because England is my second team after Pakistan. However, I make no bones about the fact that India is a simply a better team than Pakistan and has been for around 15-16 years now.

The Mace is a trophy and it is the only thing to play for in Test cricket. The only thing that matters in Test cricket these days is the number one ranking, since pretty much every team struggles to win big series away.

 

[KingKhanWC]

I am not upset. I don't care about the Indian team. In fact, I am happy because England is my second team after Pakistan. However, I make no bones about the fact that India is a simply a better team than Pakistan and has been for around 15-16 years now.

The Mace is a trophy and it is the only thing to play for in Test cricket. The only thing that matters in Test cricket these days is the number one ranking, since pretty much every team struggles to win big series away.

You are very upset and must feel embarrassed after spending hours hyping up the Indian team only for them to be destroyed in the first two tests. Now all of a sudden you dont care about the Indian team

Pakistan won 3 out of 6 tests in England in the last few years. So far India has played two and lost two. Im not sure how this means India is a better team? Perhaps you can call the Indian government and tell them to stop being scared of Pakistan and play them?

Perhaps you're not up to date with cricket news, the ICC want a test championship because the rankings and mace mean nothing.