14 Oct 2010

India whitewash Australia in Test series

7:44 am on 14 October 2010

India have underlined their number one ranking in Test cricket with a seven-wicket win over Australia in Bangalore, making it a sweep of the two-match series.

The player of the series Sachin Tendulkar followed up his first innings double century with an unbeaten 53 to help India chase a target of 207 runs on the final day.

India had removed Australia's last three batsmen for 21 runs at the start of the final day.

India's back-to-back wins not only prolonged Australia captain Ricky Ponting's wait for his first Test victory in the country but also pushed the tourists down to the fifth place, behind England, in the ICC rankings - their lowest ranking ever.

New Zealand is ranked eighth, just above Bangladesh.

Australia will have the opportunity to reclaim fourth place when England travel to Australia for the Ashes next month at home. But they must improve - Australia have lost their last three Test matches, their worst losing streak for 22 years.