Numbers Game: It's all about ICC rankings as India take on Bangladesh

India take on Bangladesh in a three-match ODI series starting today. MS Dhoni’s men will play ODIs for the first time since the end of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand — and here’s a detailed statistical preview of the series. [caption id=“attachment_2167665” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File picture of Suresh Raina. Getty[/caption] If India win the series 3-0, they will gain two rating points, thus reducing Australia’s advantage to 10 points. A 2-1 series win will keep them where they are, that is, on 117 points. However a 2-1 loss will mean India will shed two points to level with New Zealand (they will be ahead of New Zealand though when rating points are calculated to decimal points). If Bangladesh win 3-0, India will fall behind New Zealand on 113 points and Bangladesh will leapfrog England to move to sixth place in the rankings. However, Bangladesh will be more concerned about sealing a place in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 than anything else. Even though the tournament is still two years away, the participating countries will be finalised in just over two months time from now. The top eight teams (top seven teams in the ICC ODI rankings and hosts England) will feature in the tournament. The deadline for the ICC ODI rankings is 30 September, 2015. Bangladesh are scheduled to play three-match series against India and South Africa - both at home, whereas Pakistan will play a five-match series in Sri Lanka. West Indies are not scheduled to play any ODI before 30 September. A series-win against India will put Bangladesh well ahead of West Indies in the ODI rankings so much so that they will still remain ahead of West Indies even after losing the series against South Africa. Pakistan can leapfrog both Bangladesh and West Indies in the series against South Africa, but that won’t have an effect on Bangladesh’s standing. Form guide (most recent listed first): India: L, W, W, W, W Bangladesh: W,W,W,L, L

ICC team rankings

VENUE STATS ODIs at Mirpur First match: Bangladesh v Zimbabwe on 08-12-2006 Last match: Bangladesh v Pakistan on 22-04-2015 Total matches: 85 (Day matches- 29, Day/night matches – 56)