India and South Africa are set to face each other once again, this time in a two-match One Day International series. The first encounter is scheduled for November 30 in Ranchi. Before this crucial series, cricket enthusiasts will be keen to know the current standing of both teams in the ICC ODI Rankings and whether India's coveted number one position is under any threat.
Team India Dominates ICC ODI Rankings
Prior to the India vs South Africa ODI series, a glance at the ICC ODI Rankings reveals that the Indian team is firmly entrenched in the number one position. The ICC released its updated rankings as of November 22, showing the Indian team maintaining its top spot with a rating of 122. This strong position reflects Team India's consistent excellent performance, which has kept them at the pinnacle of ODI cricket. Following India, New Zealand occupies the second spot with a rating of 113. There is a significant gap between the first and second-ranked teams, further solidifying India's position. Australia is currently in third place with a rating of 109. Pakistan's cricket team is at number four with a rating of 105, while Sri Lanka holds the fifth position with a rating of 98, while these teams are continuously striving to improve their rankings.
South Africa's Position in the Rankings
After the top five teams, South Africa comes into focus, while the South African team is currently ranked sixth in the ICC ODI Team Rankings, with a rating of 98. This indicates a considerable difference in ratings between India and South Africa, suggesting that India's number one position isn't under any immediate threat, while south Africa will need consistent strong performances to improve its standing.
India's Number One Spot Remains Untouched
Even if we consider a hypothetical scenario where South Africa wins all three matches of the series, and Team India ends up empty-handed, India's rating would only drop to 117, while this means that Team India would still not fall below the first position. This demonstrates that the Indian team has built a substantial lead in their rating, which will help them maintain their top spot regardless of the series outcome.
Potential Gains for South Africa
As for South Africa, if they manage to win all three matches of the series, their rating would increase to 103, moving them up from sixth to the fifth position, while this would be a significant improvement for them, offering an opportunity to be among the top five teams. However, this advancement wouldn't impact India's secure hold on the top position.