India has retained the number-one place in the ICC Test Championship after winning the Kolkata Test by an innings and 58 runs that has helped it to draw its two-Test series with South Africa.

India was in serious danger of losing its top spot after South Africa won the Nagpur Test last week and then bad weather yesterday[Wednesday] allowed only 31 overs of play on the penultimate day of the second Test. However, Harbhajan Singh took 5-59 and Amit Mishra bagged 3-78 as South Africa was bowled out for 289 despite a fighting 127 not out by Hashim Amla, his second century of the Test.

The series result means that the pre-series status-quo in terms of positions on the table is maintained though India has slipped to 124 ratings points after conceding one ratings point while South Africa has stayed second on 120 ratings points.

This also means that Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s side will not only retain the mace, which it received after defeating Sri Lanka last year in December, but will also pocket a cheque for US$175,000 which is presented to the side that reaches the 1 April cut-off date in top spot.

Tags: India beat South Africa, retain number-one spot