Before the World Cup to be held on home ground, India has overtaken Pakistan to become the number 1 team in ODIs. As a result, they now hold the top spot across all formats, already at No. 1 in Tests and T20Is. India is only the second team in men’s cricket history to achieve this feat after South Africa in August 2012.
During this month, India, Pakistan and Australia were competing for the top spot. Pakistan emerged victorious at the end of the Asia Cup, even though they had a poor tournament. Australia’s challenge ended after losing three consecutive ODIs to South Africa. After a heavy defeat to Sri Lanka in the final, India won their eighth Asia Cup title and maintained that performance by easily defeating Pat Cummins’ team. Mohammed Shami took a career-best five-wicket haul and four of his top six scored half-centuries.
India has four No. 1 ranked players across all formats: Suryakumar Yadav is the No. 1 batsman in T20Is, Mohammed Siraj is the No. 1 bowler in ODIs while R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja top the bowling and all-rounders. Chart in test.
India are set to play two more ODIs against Australia in Indore and Rajkot respectively. They will also play two World Cup practice matches before starting their campaign in the tournament against Australia in Chennai on October 8.