David Warner finishes top as Aussies steal India's No.1 Test ranking – while teammates pay tribute to retiring opening batsman

David Warner will retire at the top of Test cricket after Australia officially reclaimed the world number one ICC ranking from India.

It follows Pat Cummins' men beating Pakistan 3-0 in their series on home soil, with India finishing 1-1 against South Africa.

Warner, 37, enjoyed a final Test innings at the crease in front of family and friends at the SCG in Australia on Saturday, chasing a total of 130 for victory on day four.

Warner finished on 57, which was eventually reversed after a spinning delivery from Sajid Khan, with Australia needing just 11 runs to win.

It means he finished his career with 8786 runs, an average of just over 44, 37 Test fifties and 26 centuries.

Warner said it was the perfect way to end his career, coming off the back of a golden run for the Australian team.

“It's pretty much a dream come true to go 3-0 and cap off a great 18 months to two years with the Australian cricket team,” he said.

'Back to the World Test Championship win, the Ashes series draw and then the World Cup.

'To finish 3-0 here is an excellent achievement and I'm just proud to be here with a bunch of great cricketers.'

In a moving moment, Warner also took a moment to honor the plaque at the SCG, dedicated to his close friend and former opening partner Phil Hughes, who tragically passed away in 2014 after being hit in the head by a short ball.

The 37-year-old was the main attraction on Saturday as the Aussies looked to complete a series clean sweep against Pakistan

He walked onto the field with a special logo painted on the outfield, with white letters reading “Thanks Dave” and a silhouette of his famous celebratory jump every time he plundered a century.

And the slashing opening batsman ended his career as he began, playing all the shots, including a single reverse sweep to improve on the 63rd Test 50 of his career, to go with his 26 centuries.

Warner departed during the lunch break with 52 runs on the board and the finish line in sight, and gifted his batting gloves to a lucky junior cricket fan as he walked back into the pavilion.

As he left the field for the last time, another young fan was given the batting gloves along with his helmet.

Warner set the tone from the third ball he faced on Saturday by walking across the wicket off the speedy Mir Hamza.

READ MORE: Former Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting stuns cricket fans with stunning prediction in David Warner's final Test

David Warner and Ricky Ponting are former teammates and great friends off the field

He reverse-swept spinner Sajid Khan to the boundary twice in an entertaining but calculated approach to nullify the rough outside off-stump.

There was also something bizarre: Warner missed a reverse scoop attempt on Hasan Ali.

Warner got some luck on 16 when he almost went further, while Aamir Jamal dropped a very difficult chance on 25 at mid-on.

But as is always the case with Warner, it was impressive for the opposition when the ball came out of the middle of the bat.

His shot of the day was a thumping four through the covers off the back foot against Hamza, while other boundaries came down from Sajid.

The left-hander's running between the wickets was a hallmark of his innings, as it has been throughout his career.

David Warner will retire from Test cricket at the top after Australia officially reclaimed the world number one ranking from India

The father of three has retired from Test and ODI cricket to spend more time with his family

Warner has been a polarizing figure but will still end up as one of the Australian Test cricket team's all-time greats

The polarizing star made his Test debut in 2011 against New Zealand and quickly forged a dominant reputation at the top of the order.

Known for his ruthless nature, Warner has faced a lot of criticism during his career, which intensified after 'Sandpapergate' in Cape Town in 2018.

But the father-of-three recovered from his 12-month ban from the sport and walked away from the Test arena on his terms.

In a series of online tributes, Warner's teammates praised the 37-year-old's decorated career across all three formats of the sport.

“He is tenacious and has always done things his way,” said Cummins, with Josh Hazlewood adding: “Davey is an excellent competitor who has the ability to turn games on their head.”

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey weighed in: 'his record speaks for itself' and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis echoed coach Andrew McDonald's comments by labeling Warner as 'Australia's best ever player in Test, ODI and T20 cricket.'

Sadly, there was no sporting fairy tale for Warner and close friend Usman Khawaja, who was went for a duck for dinner on Saturday.

Warner made his Test debut in 2011 against New Zealand and quickly built a fearsome reputation as a world-class batsman

Warner married former Australian ironwoman Candice Falzon in 2015, and the couple is said to have a $10 million real estate portfolio

The veteran's approach took some of the sting out of the situation for Australia after Usman Khawaja was trapped by Sajid in the first over.

After he and childhood friend Warner hugged before walking onto the field, Khawaja reviewed the decision but was sent off after a close decision by the referee.

That allowed Marnus Labuschagne to play as an anchor for Warner, while still making a few attacking shots of his own against the spin.

The runs came after Australia had a shot at a 3-0 series on Saturday morning, bowling out Pakistan for 115.

After Josh Hazlewood (4-16) ran through Pakistan on day three, the tourists put up a brief resistance on Saturday morning.

Mohammad Rizwan (28) and Aamir (18) put on 42 for the eighth wicket, but Pakistan quickly folded when Nathan Lyon caught the former at leg slip.

Lyon also bowled Hasan to end the innings, finishing with figures of 3-36.

Before playing, Warner spoke to Mark Howard about the realities of retirement as he prepares to play one last time at the SCG.

'It is awesome. I said six months ago this would be ideal,” Warner said.

“Over the years I haven't been everyone's cup of tea, but for me I've played the game as hard as I can and done my best for the team.

“Hopefully I've gotten that trust and belief back from everyone.”