India to retain number one ODI spot irrespective of final match outcome

The India team scripted history by registering they are first ever series win in the rainbow nation after defeating the Proteas in the deciding 5th ODI at Port Elizabeth. With the win, India has cemented their number-one ranking in the ICC ODI Team Rankings and is to finish the series on top of the table irrespective of how the final match in Centurion pans out.

Even if the hosts win on Friday, India will remain No.1 on 121 points, while South Africa will end on 119 points. Contrarily, if India wins the series 5-1, then they will finish on 123 points, while South Africa will end on 117 points.  India, who entered the six-match series in the second position on 119 points, were two points behind leaders South Africa. However, after taking a 4-1 lead, India has moved to 122 points, while South Africa has dropped to 118 points.

This is the first time since October 2017 and fifth time overall that India have finished on top of the ODI rankings following the conclusion of a series since rising to the top for the first time in January 2013.

Match Details

The Indian spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav once again stole the limelight with their scintillating partnership. And in the process, the spin twins achieved a unique feat. They broke the record for most wickets by an overseas spinner in a bilateral ODI series in South Africa, surpassing former West Indies allrounder Keith Arthurton.

However, it was chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav who was the star performer with the ball as he took 4 wickets to derail South Africa’s chase of 275 runs. In tandem with Chahal, Kuldeep repeatedly flummoxed South Africa’s batsmen. Hashim Amla scored a fighting 71 runs but it went in vain as the visitors were too strong for the Proteas.

Batting first, Indian opener Rohit Sharma had the best reply to silence his critics with a scintillating century. Courtesy support from Iyer and Kohli in the middle the Men in Blue posted a score of 274/7 in their 50 overs.

Here are the latest ICC ODI Team Rankings

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