India lose number 1 spot in ICC ODI rankings after loss to New Zealand

Australia are the world’s No.1 ranked ODI team after New Zealand beat India in the second One Day International at Hamilton.

India’s loss sees them drop down to second spot on the Reliance ICC ODI Rankings for the first time since they took over the top spot from England in January 2013. Australia have reclaimed top spot for the first time since August 2012 when England ended their 35-month period atop the ODI rankings.

India lost the No.1 spot courtesy a 15-run loss to New Zealand in a rain curtailed 2nd ODI at Hamilton. Batting first New Zealand made 271-7 in the reduced 42 overs a side game. The major contribution to NZ’s score came from Kane Williamson who notched up a well composed 76 and all-rounder Corey Anderson who made a quck-fire 17-ball-44.

India were set a revised Duckworth-Lewis target of 297 in 42 overs. Although Virat Kohli played yet another masterful innings of 78 off just 65 balls and skipper Dhoni pitched in with a 44-ball 56, the duo could not carry the team over the line as India finished on 277-9 in 41.3 overs and lost the game by 15 runs.

India can, however, reclaim the No.1 spot in the rankings if they win the next 3 ODIs to clinch a come-from-behind series win against New Zealand.

For a full list of scenarios with respect to the ODI rankings at the end of the New Zealand – India and Australia – England series, click here.

Cricket Australia thanked their New Zealand counterparts in a humorous manner on Twitter, posting the following picture: