India’s batting prowess in their test series win over Sri Lanka has catapulted them to the vaunted number one position in the cricket world rankings sponsored by Reliance Mobile. The Indians achieved the feat with a 2-0 win over neighbours Sri Lanka on Sunday.
India would be the third team after Australia and South Africa to emerge at the top of the cricket pile since the rankings were first introduced in May 2001.
Starting from number three
India started from the third position trailing South Africa with three points and Australia on the log but surged to the first position with 119 ratings. Victory over Sri Lanka by an innings and 144 runs in Kanpur and by an innings and 24 runs in Mumbai earned Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s side the much-needed five ratings points which have given it the much coveted number-one position.
The series whitewash means that India could finish 2009 as the highest-ranked side after starting the year in third place behind Australia and South Africa.
Although, Australia still have a chance with their ongoing test series against the West Indies which will conclude before the year ends, even a 3-0 clean sweep will not be enough for Ricky Ponting’s side to challenge India’s top spot.
South Africa had gone top of the test rankings in August after Australia lost the Ashes to England, but will have an opportunity to regain its position when it goes against England later in the month in a four-test series. A series win by 2-0 or better will give Graeme Smith’s South African side its number-one spot but anything less will result in an increase to India’s lead.
The number-one ranking in the most challenging and demanding format of the game hence the competitive hassling that goes on. India, having attained the position albeit temporarily, would be desirous of keeping the smiles permanent on the faces of their fans – the largest support group the world over in the game and its players.
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