India aim at sticking to 2nd place in Test rankings

DUBAI: India need at least a drawn series against South Africa if it has to save its second place in the LG ICC Test rankings, while the Proteas have a chance to upstage the hosts if they manage a win.
    
"If South Africa wins the three-Test series 1-0 or 2-1, it will move ahead of India to second place,while a drawn series of any kind or an Indian victory will make sure Anil Kumble's team retains its place at the second spot," an ICC press release said on Monday.
    
A clean sweep in the series will help India, who have 111 points, gain four ratings points and reduce the gap on Australia to 26 points.
    
However, a 0-3 defeat can pull India down to as low as the fifth place provided England does not lose the third and final Test against New Zealand.
    
The series, beginning on Wednesday in Chennai, will also give a chance to Jacques Kallis to become the top-ranked Test batsman, while the Indian trio of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman can also make moves within the top-20 of the batting rankings.