Series win can lift India to top 3 Test nations

DUBAI: A convincing series triumph over Pakistan in the three-Test cricket series starting on Thursday would take India to third spot in the ICC Test championship table.

A 3-0 or 2-0 series win over their arch rivals will lift Anil Kumble's team above South Africa to third place behind Australia and England, providing a boost in morale before the tough tour Down Under.

India are currently fourth on the charts and a good home series can improve their ranking and put them in touching distance of second-placed England, who start a three-Test series of their own in Sri Lanka on December 1.

India has 107 rating points and a 3-0 series win would lift it to 112 points, just one behind England. A 2-0 win would raise India's tally to 110 points, still enough to lift it above South Africa, who currently have 109.

A clean sweep for the hosts would mean Pakistan slipping below New Zealand, who currently occupies seventh spot on the ladder.

However, if Pakistan manage to turn the tables and win 2-0 or 3-0, they will be lifted to fifth place, one spot above India.

India have three bowlers in the top 20 with new Test captain Anil Kumble in seventh position. Zaheer Khan is 11th while fellow left-armer Irfan Pathan comes in at 19th spot.

Pakistan will be looking to their bowlers in the series as they have four of them in the top 20. Shoaib Akhtar (10th), Danish Kaneria (14th) and Umar Gul (20th) are in elite company along with Mohammad Asif (17th), who misses the tour due to injury.