Race For Number One Spot In ODI Ranking Heats Up Ahead Of World Cup

The fight to be the top-ranked ODI side at the start of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup heats up in the coming days as the Asia Cup concluded and India, Australia, two of the top three sides will compete in a bilateral series starting from September 22. Despite their early elimination and India's overwhelming triumph over Sri Lanka in the final, Pakistan stayed No. 1 at the end of the Asia Cup 2023. Australia, too, missed their chance to top the rankings with their series loss to South Africa. The Aussies led the series 2-0 before the hosts launched a remarkable comeback and won three straight games to secure a series victory on Sunday.

The loss to Bangladesh prior to the final harmed India's chances of reaching the top of the rankings, and even a record-breaking triumph against Sri Lanka in just over six overs did not propel them to the top.

Let us have a look at the matches that each team will play before the World Cup begins on October 5.

Australia

Current ranking: Third

Current rating points: 113

Upcoming fixtures: India (September 22, September 24, September 27)

Following the series loss to South Africa, Australia is no longer guaranteed to be the top-ranked team before the start of the World Cup. They will need to sweep India in order to enter the World Cup as the top-ranked team, as per ICC.

However, if Australia wins the first two games of the series, they will be ranked first until at least the final ODI.

Australia's three-match series in India at the end of this month will have a significant impact on who is ranked first at the start of the World Cup.

India

Current ranking: Second

Current rating points: 115 (114.659)

Upcoming fixtures: against Australia (September 22, September 24, September 27)

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