The Indian cricket team on Tuesday retained the ICC Test Championship mace after clinching a four-match series against Australia 2-1 in Dharamsala.
India has also won a cash award of one million dollars for ensuring top position in the ICC Test Team rankings on the annual April 1 cut-off date.
Captain Virat Kohli received the mace and cheque from ICC Cricket Hall of Famer Sunil Gavaskar at a ceremony after the fourth and final Test against Australia in Dharamsala, in which Ajinkya Rahane led the side as Kohli could not play due to a shoulder injury.
India had entered the series against Australia needing to win at least one Test to retain possession of the prestigious mace, which it had reclaimed following the Indore Test against New Zealand in October 2016.
The second and third places in the rankings will be decided after the ongoing Hamilton Test between South Africa and New Zealand. If South Africa wins or draws the Test, it will be assured of second place but a loss will see Australia finish ahead of it in second place.
The side to finish second will get five lakh dollars while the side finishing third will receive two lakh dollars. The fourth-placed team, which is England, will get one lakh dollars.
“We are absolutely delighted to have topped the ICC Test rankings. The longest format of the game really tests a team’s character and I’m proud that we have proved ourselves to be the best,” Kohli said after his side’s clinched an eight-wicket win over Aussies in Dharamsala.
“Being presented with the Test championship mace last year was an exhilarating experience and the feeling is no different this time. I’d like to both congratulate and thank everyone who has been part of this success. This includes not only all the players who have been in the squad but also the team management and support staff, without whom we could not have done so well. It has not been an easy journey but all the hard work has been worth it,” Kohli said.
