New Zealand vs India: MS Dhoni & Co. need to draw series to retain No.2 position in Test rankings

India will retain their number two position in the ICC Test rankings if they win or draw the upcoming two-match series against New Zealand, starting in Auckland on Thursday.

A 2-0 series win will fetch India one rating point to take them to 118 points with no change in the table. While a 1-0 result would see India losing five points to end on 112 ratings points, just one ahead of third-ranked Australia, though they would still remain on second position. A 0-0 or 1-1 draw will allow both the teams to maintain their pre-series rankings. (Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane slam fifties in practice match)

In case New Zealand, who are currently on eighth position with 82 points, win the series 2-0 then they will jump to 88 ratings points, while India will fall to 110. New Zealand will leapfrog the West Indies into seventh position if they win the series 1-0. (Lack of bench strength a worry for India: Dilip Vengsarkar)

In fact, the Black Caps can move ahead of Sri Lanka in sixth place, provided they beat India 2-0 and Bangladesh win the second Test against Sri Lanka to draw the series 1-1. A 1-0 series win for New Zealand will mean it will join West Indies on 87 points but will be ranked in seventh position when the ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point. (ODI series loss a blessing in disguise for India: Rahul Dravid)

India's Cheteshwar Pujara (5th) and vice-captain Virat Kohli (11th) have excellent opportunities to climb up the ladder in the ICC Test batsmen's table. (Seaming pitches may backfire on Kiwis: Chris Cairns)

It will be a golden chance for in-form Kohli to enter the top-10 for the first time in his career. Ravichandran Ashwin, at seventh spot, starts off the series as the highest-ranked Indian Test bowler.  (New Zealand set to bully India after ODI series win)