Dec 9 (17:30 local, 12:00 GMT)
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India will end 2009 as the number one Test side in the world and they deserve to hold that status because of their incredible depth of batting and collection of match-winning bowlers.
Test cricket is creating a huge amount of interest now as that group of sides battles it out at the top of the rankings, and those who doubt the importance of the longer format need only look at India's superb series with Sri Lanka.
I would rate Kumar Sangakkara's side as very capable of becoming the number one team in the world themselves, and the more that the likes of Ajantha Mendis and Angelo Mathews can grow in stature within that team the more dangerous they will be.India's immediate threat is South Africa, but they will have to beat England by a 2-0 margin or better to reclaim the No. 1 spot. A 2-0 or 3-1 victory for South Africa will take them marginally ahead of India, 3-0 will given them 126 points, and 4-0 will extend their lead over India by three. However, if England win 1-0 or 2-1, South Africa's tally will reduce to 117, increasing India's lead by seven points.
If South Africa fail to recapture the top spot against England, India's reign will receive an extension because even if Australia blank Pakistan 3-0 at home, following a 3-0 win against West Indies, their ratings points will increase only by three to 119. They will then need to win in New Zealand and beat Pakistan in England - an away series for Australia - to move up the ladder.
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