After defeating Australia comfortably in Mohali on Friday in the first One-Day International (ODI) of their three-match series, India have zoomed past Pakistan to become the No. 1 ranked team in ODIs ahead of the World Cup at home. Resultantly, they now hold the top spot across all three formats, having already been No. 1 in Tests and T20Is. India have thus become only the second team in men's cricket history to achieve this remarkable feat after South Africa did it in August 2012. (IND vs AUS Full Coverage | More Cricket News)
Post Friday's victory, India are on 116 rating points, one ahead of Pakistan. But they could still slip down the table in case Australia win the remaining two matches in the series.
Pakistan, India and Australia have all been in contention for the top spot through the month of September. Despite having a below-par tournament, Pakistan emerged on the first position at the end of the Asia Cup. Australia's prospects evaporated after they lost three ODIs in a row to South Africa.
India, on the other hand, clinched their eighth Asia Cup title after subjecting Sri Lanka to a heavy defeat in the final, and backed up that performance up with a strong performance against Pat Cummins' men. Seamer Mohammed Shami picked up a career-best five-for and four of India's top six scored half-centuries.
The ODI World Cup hosts also have four players occupying the numero uno positions across formats: Suryakumar Yadav is currently the No. 1 batter in T20 internationals, Mohammed Siraj is the No. 1 bowler in ODIs while Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are at the top of the bowling and all-rounder charts in Test cricket.
India will play the next two ODIs against Australia in Indore and Rajkot, respectively. They will also play two World Cup warm-up matches before opening their campaign with a fixture against Australia on October 8 in Chennai.
