After the Indian spin-duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja spun a web around New Zealand batsmen in the first of the three-Test series, Virat Kohli's men are eyeing the top spot in the ICC Test rankings.

India celebrated their 500th Test in style on Monday when they overcame New Zealand's final dogged resistance to win the series opener by 197 runs and go 1-0 up.

Trailing Pakistan by just one point, India is just one win away to grab the number one position.

If India leapfrogs Pakistan, Misbah's men will have to cleansweep the West Indies to reclaim the top spot. However, if India beats the Kiwis 3-0 then Pakistan will only manage to grab the second spot.

Younis Khan maintains fifth position in Test rankings

Pakistan batsman Younis Khan has maintained fifth position in the Test rankings whereas captain Misbah-ul-Haq has been promoted to 10th position from 11th rank.

Meanwhile, Ashwin's fifth 10-wicket haul in the contest helped him climb up a position to number two.

The right-arm finger-spin is just seven points away from the South African pace bowler Dale Steyn, who currently tops the Test rankings as a bowler with 878 points.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson also climbed up a place to occupy the second position among edging England's Joe Root by a point with innings of 75 and 25 runs against India to reach 879 points in the batting rankings.

Australian captain Steve Smith leads with 906 points.

Opinion

Editorial

Lebanon truce
25 Apr, 2026

Lebanon truce

THE fact that the truce between Israel and Lebanon has been extended for three weeks should be welcomed. But there...
Terrorism again
25 Apr, 2026

Terrorism again

THE elimination of 22 terrorists in an intelligence-based operation in Khyber highlights both the scale and ...
Taxing technology
25 Apr, 2026

Taxing technology

THE recent decision by the FBR’s Directorate General of Customs Valuation to increase the ‘assessed value’ of...
Pahalgam aftermath
24 Apr, 2026

Pahalgam aftermath

A YEAR after at least 26 people were killed in a terrorist attack in occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam area, ties ...
Real estate power
24 Apr, 2026

Real estate power

THE latest round of land valuation revisions by the FBR for tax purposes signifies a familiar pattern that ...
Ad astra
Updated 24 Apr, 2026

Ad astra

AMONG the many developments this month that Pakistanis can take pride in is the news that one of their own will soon...