Latest ICC T20I Rankings: India surge to second spot after whitewashing Sri Lanka

What's the story?

In the latest ICC T20I rankings, India have surged to the second position. Following their 3-0 clean-sweep of Sri Lanka in the recently completed series, the 'Men in Blue' gained two rating points to vault upwards in the rankings table.

With 124 rating points, Pakistan continue to be the number one ranked team in the shortest format of the game. Having amassed 121 rating points, India are closing in on the heels of their arch-rivals.

Both New Zealand and West Indies have 120 rating points. However, the Blackcaps currently occupy the third place on the basis of decimal points. England are just one rating point behind the aforementioned two teams. South Africa (112) and Australia (111) are the only other sides with more than 100 rating points.

The background

Before the 3-match home series against Sri Lanka, India were stationed at fifth spot in the T20I rankings table. With 119 rating points, they had been behind England when rankings were calculated to decimal points.

The heart of the matter

By virtue of their series whitewash over the Lankans, India have managed to leapfrog the likes of England, West Indies and New Zealand to rise to second position in T20Is. In the absence of regular skipper and star batsman Virat Kohli, stand-in captain Rohit Sharma managed to lead his team to an emphatic series victory.

Extra Cover: India vs Sri Lanka 2017, 3rd T20I Stats - India overtake Pakistan to end the year with most T20I wins

On the other hand, Sri Lanka have lost three rating points. Even though they remain at eighth spot, Thisara Perera's team are only a couple of rating points above ninth-ranked Afghanistan. In contrast to their recent success in Tests and ODIs, Bangladesh continue to languish at tenth spot in the table.

Latest ICC T20I Rankings

Pakistan are the number one team in the T20I rankings

What's next?

In what will be the last scheduled T20I of this year, New Zealand will lock horns with West Indies for the first game of their 3-match series on the 29th at the Saxton Oval in Nelson.

If the hosts win the opening match, they will gain three rating points and move ahead of India in the rankings table. If they prevail over the Kiwis, West Indies will gain two rating points and jump to second spot. However, Pakistan are set to end 2017 as the top-ranked T20I team.

Author's take

In addition to their number one spot in Tests and number two position in ODIs, India's surge to second place in T20Is shows their ability to switch seamlessly between all three formats of the game.