Rohit Sharma-led Indian team strengthened their footing at the top of the ICC Men’s ODI Rankings after a thumping win over the arch-rivals Pakistan on Saturday.
The Men in Blue kept their winning run alive with the third consecutive victory in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Pakistan had a chance to not only register their first ICC Men's Cricket World Cup win over India but also leapfrog their neighbors in the ODI rankings.
However, a comfortable seven-wicket victory promised India to remain at the top of the rankings as they extended their World Cup winning streak over Pakistan to 8-0.
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The hosts have been in sublime form and have defeated the two strong teams Australia and Pakistan in their first three matches as they aim to end the long and frustrating wait for an ICC trophy in this edition.
Pakistan hold onto second place in the rankings despite their defeat, with in-form South Africa in third spot.
Australia after witnessing a struggle early in the tournament have dropped down to the fourth place with back-to-back defeats at the start of their campaign.
New Zealand make up the world’s top five, with the defending World Cup champions England in sixth.
The race for the top spot got heated up just a few weeks ahead of the marquee tournament with India, Pakistan, and Australia as the leading contenders.
But the Indian team looks in impressive form to do wonders in the tournament that will eventually strengthen their hold in the rankings, having already outclassed the Babar Azam-led Pakistan in all three departments.
Talking about the match, India after winning the toss, opted to bowl first as they bowled Pakistan out for just 191 in 42.5 overs.
Chasing the target, they faced no problems as Rohit led from the front with a half-century and took his team closer to victory before getting dismissed for 86.
Shreyas Iyer scored a half-century and went on to finish the match in 30.3 overs with a boundary with seven wickets in hand.
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The Men in Blue will be up against Bangladesh in their next match as they will be looking to sow their world No.1 class to carry forward the winning momentum.
Pakistan, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back from Saturday’s loss with the hope of progressing to another meeting against their neighbors later in the competition.