After New Zealand series win, how can Indian cricket team become No.1 in ODIs?

India have ended their ODI series Down Under on the ultimate high. After securing a bilateral series win over Australia for the first time, the Indian cricket team eliminated 10 years of pain by winning the five-match ODI series against New Zealand. The 4-1 scoreline is India’s best-ever in the country in any format ever since they started touring the country in 1967. In the ICC ODI team rankings for 2019, England remain in top spot with 126 points followed by India who are second with 122 points while there is a 11-point gap between India and South Africa who are third on 111 points.

With the ICC Cricket World Cup just three months away, the number of bilateral ODI series reduces with each week. After India’s tour of New Zealand, they play just the five ODIs and two Twenty20 Internationals against Australia. England play five ODIs against West Indies while South Africa play Sri Lanka. After the series against India, Australia will square off in a five-match series against Pakistan. The five matches against Australia is India’s last chance before the World Cup. What must they do in order to become the No.1 ranked ODI side in the world?

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Basically, India has to win the five-match series against Australia 4-1 or 5-0 and hope West Indies win the series against England 3-2. A 3-2,4-1 or 5-0 win for West Indies against England will ensure India remain on top with a good lead. For England, if they win the series 4-1, they must hope Australia wins one of their games against India. If England win the series 3-2 and India secure a 4-1 or 5-0 series against Australia, then Virat Kohli’s side will be the No.1.

The current ICC individual rankings for batsmen and bowlers is currently led by Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah respectively. Kohli smashed a century in Adelaide but Bumrah was rested for the entire ODIs against Australia and in the series against New Zealand. Trent Boult moved up one place to third after his wonderful haul of 5/21 in Hamilton and for his good haul in Wellington.

HIGHLIGHTS

• India will take on Australia at home for five ODIs before the World Cup.
• India secured bilateral series wins in Australia and New Zealand.
• India need to win the series 4-1 or 5-0 and hope West Indies beat England.