New Delhi: The Indian Test team might well have missed out on clinching the No. 1 spot in ICC rankings in West Indies after the final test was washed out due to rain but they diddn't have to wait for long to get their hands on the ICC Test Mace.


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A terrific all-round performance by the Indians in the 3-match Test series against New Zealand saw the hosts completing a 3-0 whitewash with star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin the chief architect.


A proud Sunil Gavaskar handed over the heavy ICC Test Mace to Indian skipper Virat Kohli and the joyous glow on Kohli's face lit up the whole atmosphere.



With the feeling of pride in his heart, Kohli shared the trophy with his players.



In the picture, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravichandran Ashwin, Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble can bee seen elated on achieving this proud moment in Indian cricket.


R Ashwin, was named Man of the Series for his spectacular run of form as he claimed yet another ten-wicket haul to dent the Kiwis.


The Chennai-born offie, who picked six wickets in the first innings, bagged another seven in 2nd innings. It was Ashwin's 21st five wicket haul in the traditional format.


In the match, Virat Kohli too became the first Indian skipper ever to score two double hundreds in Test cricket.


India were guaranteed number-one spot on the ICC Test Team Rankings after it took a 2-0 lead in Kolkata. Since the Test team rankings are only updated at the end of the series, India formally replaced Pakistan at the top of the table at the end of the Indore Test, which they won by 321 runs.


"It's an honour and a moment of great pride to receive the ICC Test Championship mace. 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," Kohli said.


Kohli became only the second India captain after Mahendra Singh Dhoni and 10th overall to receive the mace, even though it is for the third time since Kohli took over as captain that India have led the rankings table.


India had topped the rankings very briefly in January-February this year as well as in August. India's longest stint at the number-one position was from November 2009 to August 2011 under Dhoni.


The other captains to have received the mace are Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Steve Smith (all Australia), Andrew Strauss (England), Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla (both South Africa) and Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan).


Kohli credited his players for performing consistently to take the team to the top.


(With PTI inputs)