India have earned No. 1 Test ranking fair and square, feels Shastri

India head coach Ravi Shastri took to social media to express his joy on India retaining the No. 1 Test status for the fifth time in a row, saying that they earned it fair and square. India next take on New Zealand in the World Test Championship (WTC) final in Southampton beginning on June 18. In the annual Test ranking, India have secured 121 points, while New Zealand are just a point behind them on 120.  

"This team has shown steely resolve & unwavering focus to be crowned No. 1. It is something the boys have earned fair & square. Rules changed midway but #TeamIndia overcame every hurdle along the way. My boys played tough cricket in tough times. Super proud of this bindass bunch," Shastri tweeted.

India's 2-1 win over Australia and 3-1 win over England over the past year and New Zealand's 2-0 series wins over the West Indies and Pakistan have helped them keep ahead of the pack.

According to an ICC statement, the latest annual update eliminates results of 2017-18.

(With inputs from PTI)