MUMBAI (Reuters) – Sachin Tendulkar celebrated India's ascent to the top of the Test rankings for the first time yesterday and emphasised the importance of teamwork in their "remarkable" rise.

India supplanted South Africa as the top Test side after securing a 2-0 series victory over Sri Lanka. They have also recorded series victories over Australia, England and New Zealand, and drawn with South Africa, over the past 18 months.

"This is a reflection of what we have been able to achieve in the last 20 months or so. It is great to be sitting on the top," he told reporters.

Tendulkar, who holds the record for most runs and centuries in both Test and one-day cricket, said their rise was not based on individual talent but the culmination of hard work by the players, coach Gary Kirsten and support staff.

"We have worked hard and Gary has been very instrumental and along with the other support staff also," Tendulkar added.

"Along with all, that the leadership of (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni and the team's effort, so I would say that the whole team got together and worked hard."

Skipper Dhoni was also quick to play down the role of individuals.

"This was not achieved through one or two individuals, but it was a long process and everyone has contributed, whoever has been a part of the side for the last 18 months," he told reporters.

"It has been a hard-earned achievement and it will be tough to maintain that also at the same time."

Dhoni said India might not be able to maintain their top ranking due to a slow Test schedule.

"It is a bit of concern that we are playing just two Test matches in the next six months so it will be tough for us to maintain this position, but at the same time we have done something remarkable so we would rather celebrate it than thinking what next or what we should be doing," he added.

"Next we are playing Bangladesh (in January) and I don't know when we are next playing Test cricket and whom we are playing after that. I think to sustain this position we have to do well everywhere, wherever you go and whichever team you play."

Zaheer Khan took three more wickets to record his eighth five-wicket haul as India against Sri Lanka by an innings and 24 runs.

Left-arm Zaheer dismissed overnight century-maker Kumar Sangakkara (137) caught behind in the day's opening over to kill off any hopes Sri Lanka had of saving the Test.

Resuming on 274 for six and needing 60 runs to make India bat a second time, Sangakkara edged the third ball to wicketkeeper Dhoni.

Zaheer then dismissed Rangana Herath (three) and overnight batsman Nuwan Kulasekara (19) in a fiery four-over spell to finish with five for 72.

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh then dismissed Muttiah Muralitharan for 14 as India wrapped up the tail in 7.4 overs.

"It was tough but India outperformed us in all three departments of the game in the last two Tests," Sri Lankan captain Sangakkara said.

"In this game, we nearly put 400 but (Virender) Sehwag came and took the game away from us."

Sri Lanka will play two Twenty20 internationals and five one-day internationals starting on Wednesday.