Mumbai: Virat Kolhi was presented with the prestigious ICC Test Champion Mace on Tuesday post the victory of India in the third Test match in Indore, making him the second Indian Captain to receive the honor after MS Dhoni and the tenth Captain in the world count.
Former India captain and ICC Cricket Hall of Famer Sunil Gavaskar presented the mace on behalf of ICC at a ceremony after India beat New Zealand in the third test by 321 runs and the won the test series by 3-0.
India had already achieved the number-one spot on the ICC Test Team Rankings after they had won the second Test and had taken a 2-0 lead in Kolkata. But as the Test team rankings are only updated at the end of the series, India formally replaced Pakistan at the top of the table at the end of the third match held at Indore.
In the first match match, India won by 197 runs after scoring 318/10 in first innings and 377/5(declared) in the second innings. In the second match, held in Kolkata, India won by 178 with scoring 316/10 in first innings and 263/10 in the second series. And ultimately winning the third match by 321 runs by scoring 557/5 (declared) in first innings and 216/5 (declared) in the second innings. The performance led India to become the No.1 team in the world in ICC rankings in the test match category.
Talking about the mace, Kohli said, “It’s an honour and a moment of great pride to receive the ICC Test Championship mace. To be recognised as the best in the traditional form of the game is as good as it gets for any team and stuff that dreams are made of.”
“Individual performances are important, but in the end it is what those performances do for the team that matter. If we have been able to become the best in the world, it is because there is a lot of bonding among team members and there is always someone to raise his hand in a difficult situation. I think that is what makes a top side.”
“I would like to thank all players and support staff, who have all been part of our team because I feel such an achievement is only possible with contribution from all quarters. To reach the top of the Test rankings takes a lot of hard work and perseverance,” Kohli said.
“We all grow up playing cricket, hoping to represent our country in Test cricket. But to be part of a team that does well continuously in Test cricket is something altogether different. I’m confident we will continue to win matches at home as well as abroad in the coming seasons. I want this team to be remembered as one of the finest Test teams ever,” Kohli added.
The other captains to have received the mace are Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Steve Smith (all Australia), Andrew Strauss (England), Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla (both South Africa) and Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan).
ICC Chief Executive David Richardson praised India for winning the first position back in just weeks after loosing it to Pakistan.
“I congratulate India for some fine performances which have helped it win the ICC Test Championship mace during a great period for Test cricket. The number-one ranking has changed hands three times in as many months, indicative of the current competitiveness of Test cricket at the highest level, which is great for players and fans.
“With other sides in touching distance of the top, the ICC Test rankings continue to provide great context for the traditional format of the game. I wish India the very best in their efforts to stay at number one,” Richardson said.
Sunil Gawaskar praising Indian team said, “I have always believed that Test cricket tests you in every way. To come out on top over a period of time and be acknowledged as the best in this format is a big achievement. It is a result of sustained efforts in different conditions.”
“I have some fine memories of Test cricket from my playing days. Taking on a top team in Test cricket was what pumped us up and certainly something that I always looked forward to.”
“There may be three formats of the game now but every cricketer knows that the challenge that Test cricket presents is much more and calls for a different set of skills, grit and character. I congratulate Virat and his team for this fine achievement and wish them all success in the coming years,” he further added.
The rankings at the top of the table could see more changes in the coming months since only seven points separate the top four teams with second-ranked Pakistan (111), third-placed Australia (108) and fourth-placed England (108) all featuring in upcoming Test series.
The race to the top will be quite intense as the four teams will be seen competing against each other in different tours and test series in the next few months.