Just before the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, India has climbed to the top of the MRF Tyres Men’s ODI Team Rankings after their remarkable win over Australia at Mohali. India (116 rating points) ended the supremacy of their arch-rivals Pakistan (115 rating points)after the win in the first ODI. Australia slipped at No.3, and the gap between them and the top two has now increased after they loose two points to (Currently 111 rating points). As a result of the win, India now reign supreme across all formats as the No.1
team. This is the only second time any team has reached No.1 ranking in all formats at the same time.
After a dominating five-wicket victory over Australia in the first ODI, India scripts history. Mohammed Shami, who is not the first choice in the full strength Indian team, has scalped five-wicket and was the highlight of the match. In reply to 276, Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad scored a stylish fifty each and scripted a 142-run opening stand. After a small hurdle where India loose quick wickets, fifties from stand in captain KL Rahul and T20 stalwart Surya Kumar Yadav guided the hosts to victory.
It has been some competition for the top of the ODI Team Rankings between India, Pakistan and Australia. These all were in contention for the top spot during the recently-concluded Asia Cup and Australia’s ODI series against South Africa. India is already on top in T20Is and tests. India expands their dominance across all formats by occupying the No.1 spot in Tests, T20Is and now in ODIs. This is the only the second time in men’s cricketing history that a team has achieved the No.1 ranking across the formats. Only South Africa had achieved this rare feat back in August 2012.
It will be a great confidence booster for team India if they will enter in the 2023 ODI World Cup remaining on top rankings. Along with Team India, Shubhman Gill is also nearing to the No.1 rankings and he has a chance to enter in the World Cup as a No.1 ODI batter.