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India won in Dharamsala to seal the series against Australia 2-1 © Associated Press
India will finish at the top of the ICC Test rankings by the April 1 cut-off date for the second successive year after beating Australia in the four-match Test series 2-1. As a result of finishing No. 1, they will be presented with a cash award of USD 1 million by the ICC to go with the Test mace.
India had gone into the Australia series needing to win one Test to guarantee that they would hold on to the No. 1 ranking. The series win also means India currently hold Test-series titles against all other Test-playing teams, a feat previously matched only by Australia (twice) and South Africa.
Virat Kohli, India’s full-time captain who had to sit out of their last Test due to injury, received the mace and cheque at the post-match presentation ceremony in Dharamsala. “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,” he said.
The race to No. 2 is still on. It will be decided on the fifth day in Hamilton; South Africa need to come away with at least a draw against New Zealand to hold on to the No. 2 ranking and claim the prize money of USD 500,000. If they lose, Australia will pip them to second place.
The ICC also announced that India offspinner R Ashwin will be awarded the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for being the ICC Cricketer of the Year for 2016. Ashwin, who was also named ICC Test Cricketer of the Year for 2016, took 48 wickets and scored 336 runs in the eight Tests he played during the period under consideration – 14 September, 2015 to 20 September, 2016 – and 27 wickets in 19 T20Is.
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ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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