ICC Men’s ODI Rankings : Following a convincing victory over Australia in the second ODI in Indore, India has climbed to the summit of the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings, setting the stage with strong momentum as they approach the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Securing the top position in the rankings was a pivotal objective for the Indian team in the lead-up to this prestigious event. To achieve this, they needed to secure at least two wins in the series. After their initial victory against Australia in Mohali, India extended their winning streak, ensuring they enter the World Cup as the premier side in the ODI rankings.
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India’s supremacy extends across all formats, with the top position already held in Tests and T20Is. They now lead the ODI rankings with an impressive 117 rating points, while Pakistan holds second place with 115 rating points. Australia, following their recent loss, occupies third place with 110 points.
This historic achievement marks only the second instance in men’s cricket history where a team has clinched the No. 1 ranking across all formats. Prior to this, South Africa accomplished this feat in August 2012.
India’s remarkable journey to secure the top spot in the ODI rankings culminated with a commanding performance in the second ODI against Australia. Opting to field after winning the toss, India faced an aggressive Indian batting display. Shubman Gill (104) and Shreyas Iyer (105) engineered a remarkable 200-run partnership, laying a solid foundation for India. Subsequent contributions from Suryakumar Yadav (72*), KL Rahul (52), and Ishan Kishan (31) propelled India to an imposing total of 399/5.
Suryakumar’s half-century, achieved in just 24 balls, established a new record for the fastest fifty by an Indian player against Australia, underscoring India’s highest-ever total against Australia.
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Australia, tasked with chasing 399, lost early wickets to Prasidh Krishna. However, David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne steadied the innings. Rain interruptions led to a revised target of 317 off 33 overs.
Australia embarked on an aggressive counterattack, but Ravichandran Ashwin’s three wickets in successive overs, including the dismissals of Warner and Labuschagne, shifted the momentum in favor of India. Ravindra Jadeja contributed with two crucial wickets, while Cameron Green’s run-out was sandwiched between them.
Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott provided late entertainment with a 77-run partnership off 44 balls for the ninth wicket. Mohammed Shami ultimately dismantled the partnership, and Jadeja claimed the final wicket, securing India’s unassailable 2-0 series lead.”
