DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CMC) — India became World number one in the Reliance Mobile ICC Test Championship rating for the first time yesterday after completing a 2-0 series win over Sri Lanka.

A massive win by an innings and 24 runs in Mumbai meant the Indians have become only the third team — after Australia and South Africa — to attain the top of the ladder since the Test Championship was first introduced in May 2001.

They now have 124 points to lead South Africa (122) and Australia (116).

India had started the series in third place on 119 ratings points trailing top ranked South Africa by three ratings points.

But victories — by an innings and 144 runs — in Kanpur and in Mumbai have earned Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s side the much-needed five ratings points to give them the No.1 position.

The 2-0 series win also means India will finish 2009 as the No.1 ranked side.

Although Australia’s ongoing series against the West Indies will conclude before the year ends, even a 3-0 clean sweep will not be enough for Ricky Ponting’s side to challenge India’s top spot.

India, who defeated West Indies 2-1 on tour in a One Day International series in July, are 48 ratings points ahead of the Caribbean side in the rankings table.

Sri Lanka, with 115 points, are fourth in the table, followed by England (105), and Pakistan (84), with New Zealand (80) seventh and West Indies (76) eighth.

ICC TEST CHAMPIONSHIP RATING (As of December 6, 2009)

1 India (124 points)

2 South Africa (122)

3 Australia (116)

4 Sri Lanka (115)

5 England (105)

6 Pakistan (84)

7 New Zealand (80)

8 West Indies (76)

9 Bangladesh (13)