India can move up to the fourth position from the current fifth in official Test rankings if it beats New Zealand 2-0 in the two-Test series beginning at Ahmedabad Wednesday.
India, which has never been placed higher than the fifth position, currently has 94 points as against the third-placed New Zealand's 106, according to a press release from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
However, Sourav Ganguly's team would continue at the fifth position if it beats Stephen Fleming's New Zealand 1-0 or if the series is drawn 0-0 or 1-1, according to the rankings developed by David Kendix for the ICC.
India's 1-0 victory margin would improve its rating to 98. And the Kiwis, who have lost only two of their last 17 Tests, would hold on to their fourth place with 100 points.
In the unlikely scenario of New Zealand beating India 1-0, the home side would come at par with sixth-placed Pakistan with 92 points, while the visitors would enhance their tally by two points to 108.
If the Kiwis hand India a 2-0 defeat, India would slip to the seventh position with 90 points and the winners would come within five points of South Africa by taking their tally to 111.
{{/usCountry}}If the Kiwis hand India a 2-0 defeat, India would slip to the seventh position with 90 points and the winners would come within five points of South Africa by taking their tally to 111.
{{/usCountry}}Australia leads the rankings with 129 points, followed by South Africa with 116, New Zealand and England.
The top ranked team is given a running trophy by the ICC every year.