ICC presents the ICC Test mace to Virat Kohli

Indian skipper Virat Kohli was handed over the ICC Test mace after registering a 3-0 win over New Zealand. With the win, India moved to the top of the MRF Tyres ICC Test rankings. Former Indian cricketer and ICC Hall of Famer Sunil Gavaskar handed the mace to Virat Kohli on behalf of the International Cricket Council (ICC). India had secured the number one spot after they won the second Test at Kolkata. However, they had to wait for the series to end for the rankings to be officially updated.

When India won the Indore Test, they officially moved ahead of Pakistan in the rankings. Recently about a month ago, Pakistan were handed the Test mace after they drew with England in the away series.

Dave Richardson, the CEO of the ICC, quoted, “The number-one ranking has changed hands three times in as many months, indicative of the current competitiveness of Test cricket.” On the occasion, ICC Hall of Famer Sunil Gavaskar also quoted the achievement to be a big one. He quoted, “To come out on top over a period of time and be acknowledged as the  best in this format is a big achievement.”

The Indian skipper, Virat Kohli, was absolutely delighted at the achievement.  “Couldn’t have asked for anything better. The bowlers have responded well whenever we have been under pressure,” quoted Kohli. He also emphasized on the fact that the players put their hands up when needed and everyone chipped in with key contributions. “As a team we have contributed at different times. Jadeja with the bat in the first game, Saha with the bat in the second and Rohit with those crucial knocks. It has been a complete performance,” he added.

“Individual performances are important, but in the end it is what those performances do for the team that matter. If we have been able to become the best in the world, it is because there is a lot of bonding among team members and there is always someone to raise his hand in a difficult situation. I think that is what makes a top side,” he said about the team spirit.

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On receiving the ICC Test mace, Kohli expressed the feeling to be a delighting one. He said he always saw it on the television as a kid and now proudly holds it as a captain. He cited that this is what the team plays for. He quoted, “To be recognised as the best in the traditional form of the game is as good as it gets for any team and stuff that dreams are made of.”

Virat Kohli took the opportunity to thank all the support staff and the players on the occasion. He said, “I would like to thank all players and support staff, who have all been part of our team because I feel such an achievement is only possible with contribution from all quarters. To reach the top of the Test rankings takes a lot of hard work and perseverance,” the India captain said.

The mace was designed and made by the then British Crown Jeweller, Asprey & Garrard, in the year 2001. It was commissioned to make a distinguishing prize designed to stand out from other cricket trophies.

Asprey and Garrard made a 90cm silver and gold-plated trophy based on a cricket stump as its shank, topped by an orb that represents the cricket world. The orb has the emblems of the all 10 Test teams registered with the ICC.

The trophy is regarded as a symbol of authority and prestige. This is considered as an appropriate combination given the rich history of Test cricket and its image as the most traditional and purest form of the game.

The mace had an approximate value of £30,000 in the year 2001 when it was produced. It automatically passes from one team to another as results confirm a change in the ICC rankings after every series in the MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings table.

Virat Kohli became the tenth captain overall and the 2^nd Indian captain to lift the mace after Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Steve Smith (all Australia), Mahendra Singh Dhoni (India), Andrew Strauss (England), Graeme Smith (South Africa), Hashim Amla (South Africa), and Misbah Ul Haq (Pakistan).

OFFICIAL: India move to the top of the MRF Tyres ICC Rankings & will now receive the ICC Test Championship mace! pic.twitter.com/n705WnKCba

— ICC (@ICC) October 11, 2016