India vs Australia: How Virat Kohli and Co. can pocket $1 million from series

Virat Kohli-led India will seal their world No. 1 Test ranking till April 1 by winning just one match against Australia. It will also give them $ 1 million as prize money from International Cricket Council (ICC) for being the top-ranked team

Indian cricket team, under captain Virat Kohli, has scaled new heights. Unbeaten in 19 straight Tests, the world No. 1 side faces No. 2 Australia in a four-Test series, starting on February 23 in Pune. Apart from keeping their winning momentum intact, India will have a huge financial incentive in mind against the team from Down Under.

Virat Kohli-led Indian cricket team will aim to notch a convincing win in the Test series against Australian Cricket team. (AFP)

In the four-Test series, India can ensure their world No. 1 status till April 1, by winning just one Test. And if that happens, India will get $1 million (Rs 6.70 crore) as the prize money from International Cricket Council (ICC).

India currently have 121 points while Australia are on 109.

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However, if Australia can defeat India 4-0 in the Test series then they will become the No. 1 team. If Australia wins the series with a 3-0 margin, then the two teams will be joint No. 1 on April 1. In case, Australia win by 2-0 or 3-1 margin, then also India will remain No. 1.

The second-ranked Australia have been inconsistent in the near past. They lost 3-0 to Sri Lanka the last time they visited the sub-continent. So, the task is cut out for the Steven Smith-led team.

Australia will play a warm-up match against India A, starting on Thursday.

The four-Test series between India and Australia will start on February 23, with Pune hosting the first Test. Bengaluru, Ranchi and Dharamsala are the other venues.