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Cape Town - The Indian cricket team have retained the ICC Test Championship mace and also won $1m for ensuring top position in the ICC Test team rankings ahead of the annual April 1 cut-off date.
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Captain Virat Kohli received the mace and cheque from ICC Cricket Hall of Famer Sunil Gavaskar at a ceremony after the fourth and final Test against Australia in Dharamsala, in which Ajinkya Rahane led the side as Kohli could not play due to a shoulder injury.
India's eight wicket win ensured they clinched the four-Test series, 2-1.
India had entered the series against Australia needing to win at least one Test to retain possession of the prestigious mace.
However, the second and third places in the rankings will only be decided after the ongoing third and final Hamilton Test between New Zealand and South Africa.
If the Proteas win or draw the Test, they will be assured of second place, but a loss will see Australia finish ahead of them in second place.
The side to finish second will earn $500 000 (R6.45m), while the side finishing third will receive $200 000 (R2.58m).
The already confirmed fourth-placed team, England, will get $100 000.
The Proteas are up against it heading into the final day’s play at Seddon Park.
They finished Day 4 of the final Test on 80/5, still 95 runs adrift of making the home side bat again.
Securing a draw at the very least is thus imperative for the South Africans as it would secure them $300 000 (R3.87m) more than what they’d earn by losing and finishing third.
