India slip to 3rd in ICC ODI rankings

Dubai: World champions India have slipped to third place in the ICC ODI team rankings after an annual update of the list in which Australia have extended their lead at the top to 12 points. Despite capturing the 2011 World Cup, India fell behind runners-up Sri Lanka in the updated rankings. [caption id=“attachment_51763” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“In the past 12 months, India has lost nine ODIs and has a win-loss ratio that is poorer than World Cup finalists Sri Lanka and quarterfinalists Australia and South Africa. Matthew Lewis/Getty Images”]  [/caption] “This is due to the fact that in the 2008-09 rating year, now dropped, India won 17 ODIs and lost only five games, which was easily the best record during that period. In the same year Australia won 11 and lost 11 ODIs and so now Michael Clarke’s side are no longer penalised for that relatively poor year,” the ICC explained in a statement. “In the past 12 months, India has lost nine ODIs, including its last two against eighth ranked West Indies and one in the group stages of the World Cup, and has a win-loss ratio that is poorer than World Cup finalists Sri Lanka and quarterfinalists Australia and South Africa,” it added. Meanwhile, Australia captain Clarke says his side is looking to maintain its lead at the top of the table. “This Australian side is extremely proud to be ranked the number one One-Day side in the world. However, we realise there is some significant work to be done if this is to remain the case,” said Clarke. “Being knocked out of the World Cup at the quarterfinal stage was very disappointing and our group has already started its planning to reclaim the title on our home shores. “This summer in Australia will be a great stepping stone towards this aim as we take on World Cup champions India and runners-up Sri Lanka in a return of the tri-series competition throughout Australia,” he added. The annual rankings update is carried out to ensure the ODI Championship table continues to reflect recent form. As such, the new table only includes results from matches played after 1 August 2009, with older results from between 1 August 2008 - 31 July 2009 being discarded. PTI