Australia slip to third as Pakistan, India claim top two spots in ICC rankings ahead of ODI World Cup

Team India put up a brilliant show on Sunday, September 17, to clinch their eighth Asia Cup title. India played the final against Sri Lanka and won the game rather comprehensively by ten wickets in a game where Mohammed Siraj absolutely thrashed the opposition's batting unit. Following their stupendous outing throughout the tournament, the Men in Blue were rewarded with a solid boost in the latest ODI rankings.

The Indian team, which was in the third position with a rating of 114, jumped to the second spot and bettered their rating by a solitary point. Meanwhile, their arch-rivals Pakistan, who succumbed to the bottom position in the Super 4 stages of the tournament, regained their top position. However, this was due to Australia's defeat against South Africa in the recently concluded series.

Speaking of Australia, the side had a dismal outing against the Proteas in the five-match series. The Aussies won the first couple of games comprehensively; however, Temba Bavuma's men returned strongly to eventually win the series 3-2. Notably, this was South Africa's last assignment leading into the ODI World Cup, which is set to commence on October 5.

A frequent revamp in the ODI rankings has been experienced over the past couple of weeks, as the Australian side was sitting on top a few days back, whereas India was in the third spot. After a clean sweep against Afghanistan in the three-match series, Pakistan became the highest-ranked team; however, Australia came on top after Pakistan lost games against India and Sri Lanka in the continental tournament.

Rohit Sharma goes one position up in latest rankings; Fakhar Zaman slides to tenth spot

Speaking of the Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, the ace batter had an outstanding display with the bat as he ended the Asia Cup as the second-highest run-scorer for India in the tournament. In the process, Rohit scored 194 runs, including three fifties, at an average of 48.50. For such a groovy display with the bat, the Nagpur-born batter has climbed to the ninth spot after the latest update in rankings.

Meanwhile, Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman, who could not perform up to his true potential throughout the Asia Cup, had to sacrifice with a downgrade in the latest ICC rankings. The left-handed batter ended the tournament with 65 runs in five innings at a paltry average of 16.25. Currently, the batter is in the tenth position with a rating of 705.