Aussies dethroned as No.1 Test team

Australia have been them dethroned as the world's number one Test nation, with India taking the title following Steve Smith's men's 163-run thrashing at the hands of Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Australia have dropped to No.3 on the table, below India and Pakistan, as a result of Sri Lanka's 3-0 series sweep.

The Aussies had only claimed the mantle of No.1 team in February when they conquered New Zealand 2-0 on their home turf, with Smith presented with the ICC Test mace prior to the first Test in Kandy for his side's position at the top of the rankings following the year-long qualifying period that ended April 1.

But India's stay at the top of the table could be equally short-lived. They need to win the fourth and final Test against West Indies in Port of Spain, starting on Thursday, to remain on the top spot.

Quick single: India must defy history for No.1 ranking

A loss to draw against the Windies will see Pakistan leap frog them into the No.1 position.

Sri Lanka have climbed to No.6, ahead of South Africa.

Misbah-ul-Haq's men rose up the rankings after their 2-2 series stalemate with England and speaking after their fourth-Test victory at The Oval, Pakistan's captain said he believed his side's performances in the face of adversity rendered them worthy of the No.1 tag.

"I think so – this team deserves that," the 42-year-old told reporters when asked if his team warrants a title they've never held since the ICC rankings were introduced in 2003.

"Six years of not playing any games at home. If you think of how you are living nearly every single day outside your country, without your family and playing all your games outside of Pakistan … It's really difficult, it's mentally tough."

Regardless of what happens in the fourth Caribbean Test, India are in prime position to take a stranglehold on the No.1 position over the next eight months, with 13 Test matches scheduled on their home turf against New Zealand (three Tests), England (five), Bangladesh (one) and Australia (four).

Australia will be fighting to climb back up the ranks when they host South Africa and Pakistan in two three-Test series this summer before beginning their tour of India in February.

ICC Test Rankings