Australia, India, and the No.1 ODI ranking scenario explained

Michael Clarke (L) and MS Dhoni

India and Australia are engaged in a back and forth battle for the No.1 spot in the ODI rankings.

India are trailing 0-2 in a 5-match series against New Zealand while Australia are 3-1 ahead in their series against England.

With just a point separating the two teams, we take a look at what each team needs to do when both teams finish their series against the respective opponents.

For India to become No.1:

• If India lose the 3rd ODI and series on Saturday, then they will have to hope that Australia lose the last game of the series against England, and they win at least one match out of the remaining 2 against New Zealand.
• If India win the 3rd ODI, and Australia win the last match in the series, India will have to win the remaining matches and the series in order to remain No. 1.
• If Australia lose the last game, all India have to do to remain on the top, is to avoid a whitewash against New Zealand.

For Australia to become No.1:

• If Australia win the last game against England, they will have to hope that India lose the series against New Zealand which will ensure that they remain atop the standings.
• If Australia lose the last game against England, they will have to hope that New Zealand complete a 5-0 whitewash over India, which will take them to the top spot. Any other result will keep India at the top.

*The article and scenarios have been updated after the result of the 4th ODI between Australia and England.