India takes on Aussies with an eye on ICC's ODI rankings

Dubai, Feb 23 (UNI) Team India will look to move ahead of New Zealand in the ICC ODI Championship Table but the Asian giants will have to make an extra ordinary effort of winning all it's remaining matches Down Under.

India is currently placed at the fourth spot in the ODI rankings whereas New Zealand managed to secure the third spot after defeating England in the final ODI match at Christchurch today.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's side is currently on 110 rating points and has a realistic chance of leapfrogging the Black Caps (113 points) if it wins its remaining matches Down Under.

But for that India will have to win it's one game against Sri Lanka and three matches against Australia, it will go to 115 rating points and, in doing so, will push New Zealand into fourth place.

On the other hand, if India loses any one game it will join New Zealand on 113 ratings points but will stay behind the Black Caps when the points are calculated beyond the decimal point.

Currently, Australia is leading the table with 131 points and South Africa following them at 127 points.

If India is defeated in all it's remaining matches, it will see them slide down to sixth place behind Pakistan.

As the cut-off date for the determination of seedings for the ICC Champions Trophy approaches on March 12, series results are becoming particularly significant.

Wherever the top eight teams sit on that date will dictate the make-up of the two groups for the big event, which is set to take place in Pakistan this September.

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