Ian Chappell, was the first to predict that India’s reign at the top would be brief.  Recently Steve Waugh, who never had a better than 50/50 record against India has been saying that India doesn’t look like the number one Test team in the world.

Australians are generally very adept trash talkers, so these comments were somewhat to be expected.  But when Kumar Sangakkara questioned India’s right to be ranked as the best, because India haven’t won a series in Australia or South Africa it was like the pot calling the kettle black.  Kumar would be well aware of Sri Lanka’s pathetic overseas record, with not a single Test win, let alone a series win, in India, Australia and South Africa.

India were in serious danger of losing the top spot when they conceded 642 runs to the Lankans in the recently concluded 2nd Test.  They started the match almost immediately on the backfoot after once again losing the toss and thus any chance of taking the early advantage on the flat Sinhalese Sports Club pitch.  When the Lankans took three wickets in the space of a session, during India's reply, including the big wickets of Dravid and Laxman, the Indians looked in trouble.  Then the Guru, and his newest Chela got together and stitched together a record 5^th wicket partnership for India versus Lanka and ensured that the match was safe. 

All and sundry have bemoaned the fact that the match saw only 17 wickets fall over 5 full days of play, and have pointed out how easy it must have been to bat, if tailenders like Ishant and Ohja could last over 100 balls.  But few acknowledged the strength of character it took for Sachin Tendulkar, nearing 40 years of age, to bat for hours on end in energy sapping heat and humidity to score a very crucial double century.  If there was justice, he would have been awarded the man of the match as he surely ensured India didn’t lose its place at the top of the Test table, which many had predicted would be the case after Sri Lanka piled up yet another giant first innings total.

History shows that the P Sara Oval, the venue of the 3^rd Test usually has a more result oriented pitch.  One hopes that is the case, as it will make for a fitting finale to a series that is still open.  No matter what the result, India will because of their dominating performance over the past 3 odd years, remain the top Test side in the world.  Sri Lanka however have everything to gain and nothing to lose going for a win.  Such a win would see them ranked as number two in the world, leap frogging over Australia and South Africa and England.  It would also be fascinating to see the reactions of the Australians who will most likely drop to number 5 behind not just India and Sri Lanka, but also South Africa and England.  One person who has already expressed his views is the Australian captain, Ricky Ponting, who finds playing the number one Test team, not good preparation for the Ashes.  This narrow minded, parochial view reflects the knee-jerk reactions of the hidebound traditionalists to India's sustained success.

One thing that nobody talks about is that how South Africa and Australia have both not played Sri Lanka in Lanka since the advent of Ajantha Mendis and Rangan Herath, while Muralitharan was still active.  That trio would have tested any visting side's batting mettle, so the next time holier than thou commentators question India’s rankings, they should be reminded that India unlike Australia and South Africa did indeed play these three brilliant spinners on spin friendly pitches in Lanka. 

One unintended consequence of India’s reign at the top is that a fire has been lit under the feet of the hidebound ICC administrators, who now want to implement a true Test match World Championship, finding it hard to abide by India’s domination at the top.  This is an idea that this site had championed and provided a blue print for nearly half a decade ago.  Good to see the ICC finally catching on.

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