Virat Kohli-led Team India retained the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Championship mace following its 2-1 series win over Australia earlier this week. They stand to pocket USD 1 million for the achievement.
The recent Test series win against New Zealand helped South Africa earn two points which helped them move a point ahead of Australia into second place on the rankings.
South Africa defeated New Zealand 1-0 after rain played spoilsport on the fifth day of the third and final cricket Test match in Hamilton -- thus ending the match in a draw and handing the Proteas the series.
Following the result, New Zealand dropped two points and consequently slipped behind Pakistan into sixth place, according to an ICC release.
As the Test series between New Zealand and South Africa was the last series to finish before the April 1 annual cut-off, the No.2 ranking earned the Proteas USD 5,00,000, while Australia, in third place, will collect USD 2,00,000.
England and Pakistan ended up fourth and fifth, respectively.
With IANS Inputs
