Just before the ICC Champions Trophy, it looked likely that India would be the world's best team in One-Day Internationals. But by failing to even qualify for the semi-finals, and now losing the home ODI series to Australia, the Indian dream has ended. India (59.71) are still second, and a whisker ahead of South Africa (59.43) in the Rediff ODI rankings, but expect them to drop to the third place quite soon.
The loss in Zimbabwe was disappointing, but the Asia Cup victory kept India in second place in the Rediff ODI Rankings, just behind Australia.
India (68.56), however, continue to top the Rediff ODI Rankings, with South Africa (64.66) and Australia (62.35) behind. India's acid test will be the Champions Trophy next month in South Africa.
It isn't particularly surprising that India are right on top, say M J Manohar Rao and Srinivas Bhogle, as they deserve to be after winning the World Cup.
As we go into the Champions Trophy in South Africa, both India (69.53) and South Africa (69.97) are vying for the top place in the Rediff ODI Rankings. England (43.90) and New Zealand (50.08) are the big losers with bad losses in the NatWest Series and the Compaq Cup respectively.
While Australia (72.1) and India (56.9) hold the top two places, the battle hots up below. Sri Lanka (51.4) and South Africa (51.1) are in a tussle for the next two positions, and New Zealand (50.6) and England (49.8) are locked in a tight race for the next two positions.
After the 3-1 series victory over Sri Lanka (46.13), India (60.21) ended 2009 in second place in the Rediff ODI Rankings. South Africa (56.02) dropped to third place after losing at home to England (44.88). Australia (70.84) stay on top, but they aren't looking as dominating as they used to.
A year ago most cricket enthusiasts felt that the best days of the Australian ODI team were over. The 2009 Champions Trophy changed all that. Australia easily won the trophy and haven't looked back since then.
Australia (69.98) returned to the top of the Rediff ODI rankings in emphatic fashion after retaining the recently-concluded ICC Champions Trophy. India (61.27) and South Africa (57.89) crashed dramatically after failing to reach the semi-finals, but still hold on to the second and third places.
Sachin Tendulkar held on to his second spot, while his one-day skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni occupies the 10th spot in the ICC One-Day Internationals rankings issued on Monday. The master batsman, who jumped to second spot after his scintillating performance in the tri-series in Australia last month, has 777 rating points, 15 behind South African captain Graeme Smith.
Among other Indian batsmen, skipper Rahul Dravid also improved his position by moving a step up to 15th.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting and leg-spinner Shane Warne took top honours in the latest ICC Test batting and bowling rankings.
India will be out to cut Australia's lead at the top of the ICC Test Championship table in the three-Test series against Pakistan.
England have replaced South Africa as Australia's nearest rivals after winning six of their last seven Tests.
Australia maintain their grip at the top of the standings on 129 points, with South Africa second on 116.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances