Latest ICC T20I Rankings: India maintain fifth spot; Australia move ahead of South Africa

What's the story?

In the latest T20I rankings released by the International Cricket Council, India have maintained their fifth position even as Australia gained one spot to move ahead of South Africa. Armed with 125 rating points, New Zealand continue to be the top-ranked team in the shortest format of the game.

With the third T20I between the two teams abandoned due to a soggy outfield at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, India and Australia had to settle for a 1-1 series stalemate.

By virtue of their victory in the second game at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, the Aussies gained one ranking point and consequently eclipsed the Proteas to reach the sixth position. On the other hand, the Indians were able to maintain their pre-series tally of 116 rating points following their triumph in the rain-interrupted opening match at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.

The background

Before the 3-match series against India began, Australia were ranked seventh in T20Is with 110 rating points. Even though they also had the same tally of rating points, South Africa were ranked above the Aussies on the basis of decimal points.

The heart of the matter

Having emerged with a creditable drawn series, Australia increased their tally to 111 rating points and steered clear of South Africa.

Pakistan trail the top-ranked New Zealand by four rating points while West Indies and England are separated by just a solitary rating point.

Latest ICC T20I Rankings

New Zealand are the top-ranked team in the shortest format of the game

What's next?

India will lock horns with New Zealand for a 3-match T20I series starting on November 1. Virat Kohli's team can reach the number one position and complete the holy trinity of the top spot in all three formats if they whitewash the Kiwis 3-0. However, in order for the 'Men in Blue' to reach the top rank, Pakistan will have to lose at least one match in their 3-match T20I series against Sri Lanka beginning on 26th October.

Meanwhile, South Africa will have to win both of their upcoming T20Is against tenth-ranked Bangladesh in order to reclaim the number six position from Australia.

Author's take

Even though rankings in T20Is may not hold as much importance as the World T20 in itself, the standings provide a discernible reflection of the consistency of all the teams. With plenty of action scheduled in the game's shortest format, the rankings may fluctuate in the coming weeks.