Harsha Bhogle has sparked debate by claiming that “this is the easiest time in the history of cricket to be [the] No.1 [men’s Test side]”.

Speaking on The Final Word Cricket Podcast, the commentator noted that while India climbed to the No.1 ranking in Test cricket under Virat Kohli, there was still  a 4-1 loss in England in 2018, a whitewash in New Zealand in 2020 and the recent series defeat in South Africa.

“I don’t want to be seen to be poking holes into an outstanding record, but the closer you look into that record, there wasn’t a win in South Africa, there wasn’t a win in New Zealand, there was a 4-1 defeat to England in 2018,” Bhogle said. “This is the easiest time in the history of cricket to be No.1.

“Australia is, despite the 4-0 in the Ashes, not the Australia that we have seen in the past. England are at a low. South Africa are probably at their poorest since readmission, and I know that’s a controversial statement to make. Their bowling side is excellent in those conditions. But this is not the side of Kallis, Amla, de Villiers, Faf, Graeme Smith. You’d have thought India had to beat South Africa in South Africa.”

His remarks, though, prompted some discussion, following which Bhogle took to Twitter to clear the air in a 90-second video.

An observation I made on #TheFinalWord podcast about this being the best time to be no 1 has led to some discussion. This is my point of view. As always, your civil views are welcome. Happy to hear. pic.twitter.com/bgKNLC3Aiz

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 26, 2022

“Let me clarify quickly,” he said. “I was talking specifically about India and the state of Test match cricket at the moment. Let’s look at two points in time – maybe at the turn of the century and maybe the start of the last decade, so about 2000/2001 and 2011/2012.

“I think you could say with certainty in 2001 and 2011 that Australia, England, South Africa, Pakistan, the West Indies, definitely, Sri Lanka were all putting out superior Test match sides than they are now. And I think you can say too that the Indian Test match side of about 2021 played better Test match cricket than the side of 2011-12 or thereabouts. So if you are playing better Test match cricket, and the others are not playing to the level they have played in the past, then it’s logical this is the best time not just to be No.1 but to stay No.1 for a while, and I think that is what India’s aspiration should be.”