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A good showing in the ICC Champions Trophy will push India to the coveted third spot in the ICC One-day International (ODI) rankings behind Australia and South Africa.

The India team have the same number of 111 rating points as Pakistan and New Zealand but sits below both the sides at fifth spot as they dropped two places after failing to reach the final of the DLF Cup tri-series in Malaysia. But as hosts of the high profile event, India will nurse hopes of leaving these teams behind and moving up the list.

Australia had a lead of just four rating points over second-placed South Africa at one stage during the DLF CUP but after winning the trophy, they have now widened the gap with seven points and are comfortably perched at the top.

The ICC Champions Trophy holders West Indies stands seventh in the table, three points clear of England and five rating points behind Sri Lanka.

After an outstanding series in Malaysia, Australian batsman Michael Hussey sits on top of the playerís rankings for ODI followed closely by compatriot Adam Gilchrist. Hussey is still six innings short of qualifying for a full ranking so he could yet extend his lead at the top provided he maintains his form into the ICC Champions Trophy.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be keen to put behind his poor series last month and move up from his current position of eighth. India has two other batsmen in the top 20. Yuvraj Singh is on 13th while skipper Dravid is five places lower down.

South Africa’s Shaun Pollock is world’s top-ranked bowler and all-rounder in One-day Internationals (ODIs). Australian Brett Lee is second following an excellent tournament in Malaysia where he took 12 wickets in three games.
Source:The News