India can go top of ODI rankings if they win the 2nd ODI at Eden gardens

India has been extremely dominant at home since Virat Kohli has taken over. They were excellent under Dhoni as well but this is some different kind of domination. They have won all the series they played during the home season. Virat Kohli’s aggressive captaincy has helped India achieve the No. 1 Test spot.

However, Australia is back to India for a 5 match ODI series. In the first ODI, they were tamed by the Indians after a dismal batting performance from the visitors. Australia has a chance to level the series in the second ODI scheduled for tomorrow. The match is at Eden Gardens where India seldom lose. The crowd is going to be magnificent and it will be even hard for them to win it there.

Leaving everything aside, India has been historically better in the second ODI. Right from 2009, they have won the second ODI against the Aussies at home. In 2009 they won in Nagpur by 99 runs, in Vizag they won by 5 wickets, in Jaipur they won by 9 wickets. Surprisingly all of these were 2^nd ODI of the respective series.

One eye on the top spot

India are one nil up in the series and the second ODI will help them tighten their grip on the series. However, the match at Eden Gardens holds, even more, significance as if India win, they go top of the ODI rankings. India is led by South Africa and they are only some decimals behind, winning the 2^nd ODI would see them go beyond the Proteas.

As mentioned before even history is with India. Australia will try harder to level the series and if that happens they will leapfrog India to the second spot. However, India is in pole position to win the game with their bowlers on a role. It will be interesting to see how India fare in tomorrow’s game. It will take something special to beat India as they have won their last 7 One Day games while the Aussies have lost 9 away ODIs.