With the 2023 World Cup looming, India have sent a strong statement of intent to the world as, days after being crowned champions of the 2023 Asia Cup, they now have achieved the massive milestone of being ranked as the World No.1 team in the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings with a five-wicket over Australia in the first ODI of a three-match series at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali.
By virtue of this win, India has become the No. 1 ranked team in all three formats of the game. India are only the second team in history to achieve the rare feat after South Africa in 2014.
The Men in Blue held the top spot in both Test and T20I cricket with 264 and 118 points, respectively. By virtue of today’s win, India have displaced Pakistan to lead the chart in ODI cricket too. Before the game, both archrivals were tied at 115 points, with Australia slightly behind at 113.
Talking about the match, India restricted Australia to a score of just 276 after winning the toss and choosing to bowl first. Mohammed Shami was the star of the show with a stunning five-wicket haul that included the big wickets of Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Short, and Sean Abott.
In reply, India made a rapid start as Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shubman Gill put up a massive opening partnership of 142 runs. Ruturaj, who was opening for the first time in his ODI career, made a sublime knock of 71 in 77 balls, while Gill made a 63-ball 74. However, Ruturaj’s dismissal sparked a mini-collapse as Shreyas Iyer was run-out while Shubman lost his wicket to Zampa before Ishan Kishan failed to make the most of the opportunity.
However, KL Rahul and Shubman Gill ensured India faced no more hiccups with an 80-run partnership. Suryakumar put aside concerns over his ODI record with his first half-century in ODI cricket since February 2022. KL Rahul also scored an unbeaten half-century.
India will keep the world no.1 ODI ranking going into the World Cup if they win the series by even a 2-1 margin.
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