IND vs AUS 1st ODI: India is all set to clash against Australia in a three-match ODI series, starting from today (September 22) onwards. The Men in Blue have a chance to dethrone arch-rivals Pakistan, becoming the number one ranked team in ODIs. In fact, if India beat Australia in IND vs AUS 1st ODI, today, they will become number one ranked team across all formats (ODIs, Tests, T20Is). Babar Azam's Pakistan, at present, are top-ranked team in ICC Men's Team Rankings for ODIs with 115 rating points. India and Australia are at second and third position, respectively, with 113 rating points.
India can enter the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023 as number one ranked ODI team if they win ODI series against Pat Cummins-led Australia at home. Pakistan will remain at the top position with 115 points if India loses the ODI series to Australia. On the other hand, a series whitewash i.e. 0-3 win over India will help Australia jump to number one position with the Men in Blue slipping to the third position and Pakistan at number two.
Australia can also dethrone Pakistan to become number one ranked ODI team even before the IND vs AUS three-match ODI series ends, only if they manage to beat hosts India in first two ODIs. The three-match ODI series between India and Australia will end on Wednesday (September 27).
Pakistan losing to Sri Lanka in their final Super Fours match in Asia Cup 2023 was a huge blow to their chances of retaining number one spot in ODI rankings. Pakistan will return to cricketing action when they take on Netherlands in their opening match of the 2023 ODI World Cup on October 6 in Hyderabad.
The only way Pakistan can stay at number one position in ODI rankings is by hoping India to lose 1-2 against Australia in the three-match ODI series.