NEW DELHI: India have already pocketed the Test series against England having taken an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series and the hosts will aim to consolidate their position on top of the World Test Championship table with a win in the fifth and final Test beginning March 7 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.
Apart from signing off with another win, the match in Dharamsala may also witness ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin overtaking the legendary Anil Kumble in terms of most five-wicket hauls by an Indian bowler in Test cricket.
Ashwin, who is set to play his 100th Test in Dharamsala, went past the 500-wicket mark in the third Test in Rajkot to become only the second Indian to achieve the feat.
1/10:WTC standings: India climb to top spot
ANI
2/10:Team India
<p>Two-time finalists India jumped to the top of the World Test Championship standings, replacing New Zealand in the latest rankings issued on Sunday. </p>ANI
3/10:Ranchi Test
<p>India defeated England by five wickets in the fourth Test in Ranchi to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series. </p>ANI
4/10:Better points percentage
<p>India replaced the Kiwis with a stronger points percentage of 64.58. </p>AP
5/10:62 points
<p>With five wins, two losses and one draw, India have 62 points in 8 matches. </p>AFP
6/10:New Zealand
<p>The Black Caps have 36 from five matches (three wins, two losses) and have a point-percentage of 60.00. </p>AFP
7/10:Wellington Test
<p>Before the start of the Wellington Test, New Zealand were sitting at the top of the table with 36 points in four games and a points percentage of 75. </p>AP
8/10:No. 2 spot
<p>But following their massive 172-run defeat, the 2021 WTC champions lost the top spot, slipping to the No. 2 position with a points percentage of 60. </p>AFP
9/10:Australia
<p>Third-placed Australia have closed on the gap after the Wellington Test, gaining 12 points as they now have 78 points from 11 matches (7 wins, 3 losses and 1 draw). </p>AFP
10/10:Points percentage
<p>Australia's points percentage has also increased from 55 to 59.09. </p>AFPHe will now aim to break legendary Kumble's record of 35 five-wicket hauls.
Ashwin also has 35 five-wicket hauls in Tests; and if he manages to pick another five-for in Dharamsala, he will overtake Kumble.
Muthiah Muralitharan (67), Shane Warne (37), and Richard Hadlee (36) are the top three bowlers with the most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket.
HERE'S THE COMPLETE LIST:
Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) - 67 in 133 Tests
Shane Warne (Australia) - 37 in 145 Tests
Richard Hadlee (New Zealand) - 36 in 86 Tests
R Ashwin (India) - 35 in 99 Tests
Anil Kumble (India) - 35 in 132 Tests
