Dubai: The Indian cricket 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.