Published: Oct 01, 2017, 09:16 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 01, 2017, 09:16 PM (IST)
Following the 7-wicket win over Australia in the fifth and final ODI at Nagpur, Team India have reclaimed the No. 1 spot in ICC ODI rankings. For those who do not know, India missed the coveted spot after their 50-run victory in the second match at Kolkata. They were tied with South Africa (119 points), but missed out on the top rank with a 0.09 difference in decimal points. However, they toppled Proteas courtesy a win in the next ODI at Indore.
Australia bounced back in the fourth ODI at Bengaluru, which brought India back to the second spot. India had to win the dead rubber of the series, and did it in style in pursuit of 243 at VCA Stadium, Nagpur. Rohit Sharma’s 125 led hosts to a comfortable win with 43 balls to spare. Earlier, opting to bat, Australia managed only 242 for 9 on a slow surface. Indian spinners, Kedar Jadhav, Kuldeep Yadav and Akshar Patel stood tall before Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah restricted visitors in the death overs. India are at the No.1 spot with 120 rating.
India will feature in their next ODI series versus New Zealand. It will be a three-match series at home. Virat Kohli and co. will be eager to extend their lead against Kane Williamson’s side. On the other hand, No. 2 ranked South Africa host Bangladesh in three ODIs. The result of both the series will surely lead to more changes in the standings.
On the other hand, a dejected Australian side need to buckle up with No. 4 ranked England breathing down their neck. Interestingly, both sides will face each other in the shorter format, in early 2018, following the much-anticipated Ashes 2017-18 Down Under.
