India can become No.1 ODI team before facing Australia in 3-match ODI series, Here's how
India had previously held the prestigious title of the No.1 ranked ODI team until March 22.
Team India, Australia, and Pakistan are currently engaged in a fierce battle to secure the coveted No.1 ODI ranking before the commencement of the 2023 ODI World Cup in October. Presently, Pakistan and Australia jointly hold the top spot with 118 points, while India is not far behind with 116 points.
The outcome of the remaining fixtures in the Asia Cup, as well as the bilateral series between Australia and South Africa, will play a crucial role in determining the rankings of these teams.
India had previously held the prestigious title of the No.1 ranked ODI team until March 22, and they now have an opportunity to reclaim their position at the summit if the upcoming matches go in their favor.
For Pakistan, the 2023 Asia Cup serves as the final stage of preparation leading up to the ODI World Cup. They have only a couple of warm-up matches scheduled in the coming weeks. If they manage to defeat Sri Lanka and clinch the Asia Cup, they will secure the No.1 ODI ranking.
As for Australia, they must emerge victorious in both the remaining ODIs against South Africa and win the series with a 4-1 margin to retain their top position. Even a single defeat in these two matches would result in them sliding down to third place. Additionally, their upcoming three-match ODI series against India will also play a significant role in determining who claims the No.1 ranking.
The equation for India is quite similar. If they manage to win their final Super Four stage match against Bangladesh and secure the Asia Cup 2023 trophy, they will claim the coveted No.1 ranking. However, this is contingent upon Australia losing a match against the Proteas.
Furthermore, India's performance in the home ODI series against Australia will hold great significance in determining their final ranking before the 2023 ODI World Cup.
India's dominance is evident across all formats, showcasing their prowess as the Men in Blue. While they are on the cusp of reaching the top spot in the 50-over format, they reign supreme in the other two formats.
Their exceptional performance in red-ball cricket has propelled them to the No.1 ranking and secured their place in the final of the World Test Championship (WTC). Additionally, their stronghold in the shortest format is expected to bode well for them, especially with the upcoming focus on the T20 World Cup in 2024.