India can pip SA to top of ODI rankings with Lanka ‘whitewash’
India will reach 121 points and edge South Africa on decimal points if it takes a 1-0 lead in the series but will have to also win the following two matches in Mohali and Visakakhapatnam on 13 and 17 December.
Published : Dec 09, 2017 16:14 IST
India will go into its One Day International series against Sri Lanka starting Sunday with the aim of winning 3-0 and overtaking South Africa to take top position in the ICC ODI Team Rankings.
India, which is top-ranked in Test cricket, is on 120 points in the ODI rankings, only one point behind South Africa and will go ahead if it wins the first match in Dharamsala on Sunday.
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India will reach 121 points and edge South Africa on decimal points if it takes a 1-0 lead in the series but will have to also win the following two matches in Mohali and Visakakhapatnam on 13 and 17 December.
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Sri Lanka is 8th on the table with 83 points and the rankings system is weighted to reflect the difference in ranking points.
India will slip to 119 points even with a 2-1 win in the ODI series, which follows a three-Test series between the two sides, which India won 1-0 .
On the other hand, eighth-ranked Sri Lanka will remain on 83 points even with a 3-0 loss but can go up to 87 points with a 3-0 series win.