India in with chance to become No. 1 ODI side
India would overtake England and South Africa by fractions and move to 121 points if they won the first ODI in Chennai. However, a 3-0 outcome would make them clear leaders at the top with 123 points, two ahead of England and South Africa.
India have a chance to claim the No. 1 spot in the International Cricket Council's One-Day International rankings for the first time ever when they take on Pakistan in the three-match ODI series from December 30 in Chennai.
India, the world champions in the format, were ranked third with 120 rating points, one behind England, who currently top the charts with South Africa in second place with a fraction of a point separating the two sides.
India would overtake England and South Africa by fractions and move to 121 points if they won the first ODI in Chennai. However, a 3-0 outcome would make them clear leaders at the top with 123 points, two ahead of England and South Africa.
But a loss in even one of the matches against Pakistan would mean India remain at the third spot.
Pakistan, currently ranked sixth, could move up a spot to fifth if they won all three matches against India, gaining six points to move to 110.
Meanwhile, in the ICC rankings for Twenty20 Internationals, India ended the year ranked third, while Pakistan finished sixth, after their two-match series ended 1-1.