India has four batsmen in the top 20 - Gautam Gambhir in 12th place and Virender Sehwag in 15th - not to mention Sachin Tendulkar in 21st position, compared to New Zealand's single representation in Ross Taylor, who is placed 16th.
But it is the Black Caps bowling that has most impressed of late with captain Daniel Vettori currently leading the rankings and Kyle Mills now in third spot, with a third bowler, Jacob Oram, in 19th place.
In contrast, India has just one bowler in the top 20 with Zaheer Khan occupying the 12th position.Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team is currently third, four ratings points behind second-placed Australia and five points behind the top team South Africa.