Objectively speaking, its flawed.
Why?
Cos it does not consider home and away series.
So there is no "heart of hearts" situations. It is flawed.
Just our turn to enjoy it now cos it has been the same flawed for everyone and same flawed even during our overseas cycle when others gained points while we had to go on tough tours.
So might as well cherish the rankings now.
And comparison wise, I do think Pakistan is the better test side cos away series performance counts for more.
But we ain't giving back the number one till end of 2017.
SIF I agree with you most of the time but not on this. if ranking system is adjusted by giving weighted points to home/away matches, lost matches at home should cost more -ve points, because usually winning team gains same points which losing team gets in -ve. if ranking are calculated this way it will again give India at top, as India is so dominant at home that the rarely lose any thing.
here is an sample of adjusted ranking system
win away = +1.5
win home = +1
draw home = .25
draw away = .75
lost away = -1
lost home = -1.5
by using this method of weighted points let's see what India gets based on last 2 years performance I.e from 12 Oct 2014 onwards.(- minnows I.e WI ban and Zim)
India in Aus 0-2(2 draws) points = -0.5
(-2 for two lost matches and +1.5 for two draws away)
India in sri Lanka 2-1, points = 2
(3 for away two wins -1 for away defeat)
NZ in India 0-3, points = 3
SA in India 0-3(1 draw), points = +3.25
total points = 8.75 in 14 matches
net average = 8.75/14 = 0.625
when same thing done with England
Aus in Eng 2-3, points = O
(+3 for won matches -3 for lost two home matches)
Eng in SA 2-1 points = 2
(+3 for won away matches and -1 for defeat)
SL in Eng 0-2(1 draw) points = 2.25
(.25 for home draw and +2 for wins)
Pak in Eng 2-2, points = -1
(+2 for wins, -3 for defeats)
NZ in Eng 1-1, points = -0.5
(-1.5 for defeat and +1 for victory)
Eng in u.a.e 0-2(1 draw) points= -1.25
(-2 for away defeat, +.75 for draw)
total= 1.5 in 21 matches
net average = .071
for Pakistan
Aus in U.A.E 0-2, points: +2
Pak in SL 2-1, points: 2
(+3 for wins, -1 for defeat)
Pak vs Eng in UAE 2-0 (1 draw) points: 2.25
(.25 for draw, 2 for wins)
Pak in Eng 2-2 points : +1
(+3 for wins,-2 for defeat)
Pak vs NZ in UAE 1-1 (draw 1) points : -.25
(+1 for win, -1.5 for defeat and +.25 for draw)
total = 7 in 15 matches
net average = 0.466
so
India = 0.625
pak= 0.466
Eng = 0.071
this happens because India rarely lose at home whereas Eng and Pak might have few wins abroad and gain some more points, but they lose/draw too at home, which should cost as much.
many people will never be satisfied with ranking system, generally because there team is not at top.
if ICC introduce away/home weighted points, and by chance India goes to Sri Lanka and win some good points same people will raise their eyebrows and say weight points should only be used when away from continent not just away from home.
First position should be vacant because no one deserves to hold that position when they reach there. Only 3 teams have dominated the number 1 position. West Indies before 90's, Australia from late 90's to 2010 and South Africa for 2-3 years.
