The Indian team can rise to as high as third in the ICC Test rankings if Virat Kohli's men whitewash Sri Lanka in the three-match series starting on Wednesday.
"Fifth-ranked India know that a 3-0 victory can propel them up the rankings table, and depending on the final outcome in the ongoing Ashes series, they could even climb to as high as third place, provided Australia defeats England at The Oval. A 2-1 victory would see India gain three points," the ICC said in a statement.
If seventh-placed Sri Lanka whitewash India 3-0 then they will gain eight rankings points and could climb to fifth and India would drop to 89 points.
A 2-1 win for the hosts, meanwhile, would see them gain four rankings points and, thus, overtake Kohli's side.
The last time India toured Sri Lanka in 2010, the series ended in a 1-1 draw, and in that scenario Sri Lanka would gain a point, while India would remain on 97 points.
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