India Pips Bangladesh in Pink, Stands on Top in WTC Points Table

India Pips Bangladesh in Pink, Stands on Top in WTC Points Table
India top the rankings in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) points table.
India Pips Bangladesh in Pink, Stands on Top in WTC Points Table
India top the rankings in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) points table.

First-ever pink-ball Test cricket started in the country with a thunderous victory of India against Bangladesh within three days at the Eden Gardens. Cricket fans thronged the stadium all the three days, which reminded the country of old times of the white costume cricket. However, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly was upbeat with the success of the pink-ball cricket and promised to spread the day-night Test cricket across the country.

Game without competition

The one-sided game ended without any competition. The host demolished the visiting side by an innings and 46 runs to record its 12th consecutive home series win in a row. With this victory, India registered its seventh win on the trot. Two each against the West Indies and Bangladesh and India also hammered South Africa 3-0. It is India’s best performance so far in Test cricket.

Bossing in Test

Virat Kohli has been marshalling his troops marvellously in all formats of the game, especially in Test cricket. Therefore, India overpowered other teams and became the number one team in five-day cricket in the world. It seems Kohli and his men are bossing in this format which needs the maximum skills.

4th consecutive innings victory

With the victory India has registered recently in Eden Gardens, it has recorded its fourth straight innings victory, which is a new world record. But Kohli has humbly warned his teammates by pointing out that all victories have come in home conditions. “All I can say is that we are at the top of our game,” he said. “You can’t judge a team’s dominance after seven games.”

Batsmen are losers

The dominance of team India on the pitch is a boon for the bowlers as they got the chance to bowl against their opponents twice in a Test. This keeps their skills well-oiled and their performance improves. On the other hand, the batsmen got to play only one inning. Despite scoring heavily, they didn’t get a chance to bat again in the second innings to improve their average. Undoubtedly, success is sweet and makes the entire team jubilant, but the batsmen’s records are not improving.

Speedsters unplayable

The Bangladesh batsmen looked helpless against the formidable Indian speedsters. They laid their arms without any fight against Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma on the third day. Both the bowlers picked up five and four wickets respectively and packed up the visitors on 195 runs and provided India with an emphatic victory by an innings and 46 runs. Remember, the host had bulldozed Bangladesh by an innings and 130 runs in the open match of the series in Indore.

Ishant declares player of match/series

Mushfiqur Rahman single-handedly showed some courage against the high-quality pace bowling by the Indian team, while other batsmen surrendered meekly against the unplayable attack. Team India has made its habit to finish the match within three or four days. This shows the complete dominance of the team in traditional cricket. Virat Kohli has added another feather in his big cap as he scored his 27th Test ton. Ishant Sharma was adjudged as the player of the match and series for his splendid bowling performance throughout the series.

Guys are hungry

“Only your belief can make you win. With the way these guys (pacers) are bowling now, they can pick up wickets anywhere. Even the spinners. These guys are very hungry, and I feel we are in the right kind of space and everyone is enjoying playing in this team,” said Kohli at the post-match presentation.

India stands on top

With this enormous triumph, India has collected a maximum of 120 points in the series. This has put India way ahead in comparison to the other teams in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2019-2021. India has accumulated over 360 points from seven games in three series and stands at the top in the ranking. Australia is at the second spot after hammering Pakistan by an innings and five runs at Brisbane.

Bangladesh receives blows

The SG pink ball helped a lot to add to the lethal paced attack of the host team. Bangladesh batsmen were on the receiving end and sustained heavy blows, so the team was forced to use two concussions substitutes. This had its repercussions, however. The pink ball has raised questions over its visibility during the twilight.

ICC World Test Championship 2019-20, Points Table

S.No.

TEAM

Matches

Won

Lost

Tied

Draw

Points

1

India

7

7

0

0

0

360

2

Australia

6

3

2

0

1

116

3

New Zealand

2

1

1

0

0

60

4

Sri Lanka

2

1

1

0

0

60

5

England

5

2

2

0

1

56

6

Pakistan

1

0

1

0

0

0

7

West Indies

2

0

2

0

0

0

8

South Africa

3

0

3

0

0

0

9

Bangladesh

2

0

2

0

0

0

Standings will be updated with the completion of each game played under WTC.

M: The number of matches played.
W: The number of matches won.
L:  The number of matches lost.

T: The number of matches tied.
D: The number of matches Draw.

PT: Number of points awarded.

Each team plays six series, with each series counting for 120 points distributed over the number of matches in a series. For example, a two-match series will mean 60 points for each Test while a three-match series will give 40 points to each Test match. A tie will be 50% of the points available, whilst a draw will be a 3:1 points ratio.

Matches in series (2) – Win/Tie/Draw – 60/30/20

Matches in series (3) – Win/Tie/Draw – 40/20/13

Matches in series (4) – Win/Tie/Draw – 30/15/10

Matches in series (5) – Win/Tie/Draw – 24/12/8

If two teams are tied on points, the team that won more series shall be ranked higher. If teams are still equal, then the team with the higher runs per wicket ratio shall be ranked higher. The runs per wicket ratio are calculated as runs scored per wicket lost, divided by runs conceded per wicket taken.

Related Link:

ICC World Test Championship 2019-21 Schedule and Venues