ICC Test Match Rankings: Top 5 longest streaks as the No. 1 team

4) India: 21 months

Mahendra Singh Dhoni captained the team during a 21 month period at the top

India were at the top of the rankings during a very successful period for the team in general between November 2009 and August 2011. During this time period, India were also crowned world champions in ODIs and were excelling under Gary Kirsten’s guidance.

They clinched the top spot after easily overcoming Sri Lanka at home, and lost the No. 1 ranking after a humiliating series in England in 2011. The side was captained by MS Dhoni and had the ‘golden generation’ of India’s cricketers including Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh.

In the 21 month period, India did not suffer a series defeat before the tour of England. They recorded wins over Bangladesh and West Indies away, while comfortably overwhelming Australia and New Zealand at home.