India must beat Zimbabwe 3-0 to remain second in ODI rankings

Ajinkya Rahane will lead Indian team in absence of MS Dhoni

Dubai, July 8 (IANS) India must win all three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against Zimbabwe to retain their second place in the ODI rankings, an International Cricket Council (ICC) release said on Wednesday.

India face hosts Zimbabwe in a three-match ODI series from Friday. Second-ranked India (115 points) lead 11th-ranked Zimbabwe (44) by 71 ratings, making them the overwhelming favourites to win the series 3-0, failing which India will drop down the list.

A 3-0 win for India will help them maintain their second ranked position with 115 points.

A 2-1 win for India will see them drop two points but maintain their second spot, and a 1-2 loss will mean India surrender four points and go down to fourth.

A 3-0 win for Zimbabwe will help them jump to 52 points, overtaking Ireland to the 10th spot, with India sliding to the fifth spot with 109.

The ICC ODI team rankings: (In order of rank, team, rankings)

1 Australia 129

2 India 115

3 New Zealand 112

4 South Africa 112

5 Sri Lanka 106

6 England 98

7 Bangladesh 93

8 West Indies 88

9 Pakistan 87

10 Ireland 50

11 Zimbabwe 44

12 Afghanistan 41