India need to win ODI series 4-1 to move up in ICC rankings

TIL Desk Sports/ Fourth-ranked India will have to win the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand by at least a 4-1 margin to move up a position in the ICC team rankings. India (110 points) presently trail New Zealand (113 points) by three points but will need to win the series by 4-1 or better to claim the third position.

New Zealand pacer Trent Boult will start the five-match series as the number-one ranked bowler while India’s highest ranked bowler is R Ashwin, who has been rested for the series. In the batsmen rankings, Virat Kohli remains in number two spot behind A B de Villiers. Amongs other teams, Australia opener David Warner has surged to a career-best third position but Australia have lost vital points in the ODI team rankings following a 5-0 whitewash at the hands of South Africa.

Warner has gained nine positions and moved into the top 10 for the first time after accumulating 386 runs during the series in South Africa, including a fighting 173 in the final match in Cape Town which Australia lost by 31 runs. Some fine performances by the South Africa players have helped their team leapfrog New Zealand and India to within two points of world champion Australia s tally of 118 points. South Africa had started the series tied at 110 points and gained six points, while Australia plunged from 124 to 118 points.