IND vs AUS: Mohali resonated with jubilant cheers last night, 22 September 2023, as the Indian cricket team celebrated their historic victory against Australia, clinching the match with a margin of just 5 wickets. This triumph was not merely another win, but it cemented India’s standing at the pinnacle of all three formats of the ICC rankings. This achievement sets them apart, making them one of the rare teams to have done so.
Before the onset of Asia Cup 2023, Pakistan had showcased their dominance, overpowering Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series, subsequently heading the ODI table. Their performance in the Asia Cup further amplified their reputation. India, however, claimed the Asia Cup, aligning with Pakistan on the ranking charts with 115 rating points. Despite this, India had yet to clinch the top spot in ODI rankings. The recent win against Australia changed this narrative, allowing India to recreate a historical record.
Team India: Historically, only two teams have held the esteemed title of ranking first across all ICC formats—ODI, T20, and Test. South Africa first accomplished this in 2012. A year later, in 2013, under the leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India etched their name on this list. Fast-forwarding a decade, in 2023, India, under KL Rahul’s captaincy, has revisited this monumental achievement.
Post the latest ODI results, there’s been a shift in the ranking dynamics. Pakistan has been nudged to the second spot, while Australia’s standing is compromised further. Following them are South Africa and England, securing the fourth and fifth spots respectively.
Team India: This remarkable ranking feat, especially ahead of World Cup 2023, is bound to boost India’s morale and confidence. In terms of T20 and Test formats, India’s supremacy has been uninterrupted for some time. They boast a rating point of 264 in T20s, followed closely by England with 261 points. The Test rankings paint a similar picture with India leading at 118 rating points, while Australia, though matching the points, sits at the second position due to other criteria. With the recent ODI rankings taken into account, India enjoys 116 rating points, overshadowing Pakistan’s 115.
This historic moment isn’t just a testament to India’s excellence on the field but also signifies their consistent performance and the future of Indian cricket under KL Rahul’s dynamic leadership.