Rahul Dravid has expressed satisfaction after his team reached number one in the world - but insists more work lies ahead.

India moved to the top of the International Cricket Council rankings for Test teams for the first time ever by defeating Sri Lanka 2-0 in a three-Test series which concluded at the weekend.

The victory in the final Test in Mumbai sparked euphoric celebrations across the country as it ensured India would end the year in the number one spot.

While pleased with the rating, former skipper Dravid believes India still need to put in the hard yards.

"It is a great feeling to be ranked the number one Test team in the world and we are all proud of it, but this doesn't mean the end of the journey," Dravid told the Deccan Herald.

"What is satisfying is the kind of cricket we have played in the last 18-24 months.

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"This has been a long process, a journey that from my perspective began when I made my Test debut in 1996.

"As an individual, when you go out to play, you want to be the best you can be, day in and day out. It's no different for the team.

"I have faced some tough times early in my career and there were a lot of disappointments from a team perspective.

"To be a part of the team that is ranked number one in the world is very satisfying."

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India have long been viewed as poor travellers, but in the last two years they have secured a series win in New Zealand and also won matches away in Australia and South Africa for the first time.

"It's nice to see that we are viewed as a competitive team not just at home but overseas too," Dravid said.

"At the beginning of my career, we always began as underdogs when we toured, but now people expect us to win when we travel and the opposition also know that they are in a fight.

"That's a wonderful turnaround but it is important that we continue to play the way we have been every time we get out into the middle so that we start to win Test series in Australia and South Africa."

Dravid endorsed team-mate Sachin Tendulkar's praise of the present team.

"We have the personnel that can respond to any situation, that can bail the team out of any crisis," he said.

"There is a tremendous confidence within the group.

"Sometimes, to come away with scrappy draws is as important as winning games.

"In the recent past, we have earned draws from difficult positions in matches that we might have lost not very long ago.

"There is enough quality in the team to rise to whatever the challenge might be."

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