ODI team ratings of the year 2015

The year 2015 was an exciting one in ODI cricket. The World Cup, New Zealand’s tour of England, South Africa’s tour to India, Australia playing England and England’s tour to the UAE produced some fabulous cricket. Bangladesh’s rise made headlines across the cricketing world while West Indies continued their struggle. Afghanistan ended the year on a high making a place for itself in the top 10 of the ODI team ranking. Here are the ODI team ratings for 2015 as per current team rankings. 1. Australia – 9.5: Australia: Guardians of the galaxy. (© Getty Images) The world champions had an amazing year stamping their class and authority. The team won the Carlton Mid One-Day International tri-series at home prior to the World Cup. In the marquee event, the Aussies lost just a solitary match against the eventual runners-up New Zealand. After lifting the all important cup, the team travelled to Ireland and won the one-off match. The team won its last ODI series of the year 3-2 against England in an away series. 2. India – 4: India. (Photo Source: BCCI) Team India had a miserable year in ODI cricket. The team failed to win a single match in the tri-series in Australia which also featured England. They were unbeaten in the World Cup, however, produced a listless performance in the semi-final against the eventual champions Australia. The format being heavily in favour of top teams, a semifinal appearance cannot be considered a major achievement. The team travelled to Bangladesh lost the first 2 ODIs and finally the 3-match series by 2-1. A young team was sent to Zimbabwe as several players were rested. The team won the series 3-0 against a weak opposition. The last series against South Africa showcased many weaknesses in the Indian limited-overs set-up. The team lost the series 3-2. Skipper MS Dhoni finally admitted that there were issues and things weren’t looking bright for the ODI team. 3. South Africa – 6: (Photo Source: BCCI) The Proteas had decent but not a spectacular year in ODI cricket. The team won a home series 4-1 against a listless West Indian team. It managed to reach the semi-final of the World Cup as expected but was beaten by the Kiwis in a thrilling contest. South Africa had many opportunities to seal the match however crumbled under pressure. A 2-1 defeat against Bangladesh in an away series after winning the first ODI was the upset of the year. The Kiwis travelled to South Africa and lost the series 2-1 against the home side. The Proteas won the away series 3-2 against India playing some good cricket. 4. New Zealand – 7: (Photo Source: Getty Images) The Kiwis captured the imagination of the cricket loving public around the world. Results aside, just the manner in which the team played was incredible to watch. Their spirited style of play earned them respect from all quarters. The team won a home series 4-2 against Sri Lanka followed by a 2-0 win against Pakistan. New Zealand was unbeaten in the World Cup playing top class cricket, however, lost the final against the Aussies. The team lost a closely fought series in England against the home side by a margin of 3-2. This was followed by a 2-1 win over Zimbabwe. The Black Caps lost the series by 2-1 against South Africa in an away series. They have a 2-1 lead in the ongoing 5-match series against Sri Lanka at home. 5. Sri Lanka – 3: Sri Lanka.(Photo Source: Associated Press) The islanders had a forgettable year in ODI cricket. After losing the series in NZ by 4-2 the team was thrashed by South Africa in the World Cup quarterfinal in a one-sided contest. They lost a home series against Pakistan by 3-2 playing some ordinary cricket. The team managed to beat the West Indies at home by 3-0 however, that was an expected result knowing the state of affairs in Caribbean cricket. The team currently trails the Kiwis by 2-1 in the away series. 6. England – 6: England. (© MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/Getty Images) England beat India twice in the Carlton Mid One-Day International tri-series played Down Under however lost the 3 matches including the final against Australia. They were beaten by Bangladesh in a key World Cup game that knocked them out of the competition. Having failed to qualify for the quarterfinal and with the pressure mountain, the English selectors made several changes to the squad and encouraged aggressive cricket. The team played spectacular cricket and won many fans in the manner they beat the Kiwis at home by 3-2. England played fine cricket against the world champions only to falter in the final and lost the home series 3-2. Continuing the good form England beat Pakistan 3-1 in an away series in UAE playing attractive cricket. 7. Bangladesh – 9: (Photo Source: Associated Press) The Tigers had a marvellous year in ODI cricket. They played brilliantly to qualify for the quarterfinal of the World Cup where it was beaten by India that witnessed the controversial Rohit Sharma no ball decision which went against Bangladesh. The team played 4 series at home after the WC and won all. Bangladesh blanked Pakistan 3-0 producing fantastic cricket. They got the World Cup revenge by hammering India by 2-1 in the home series. After losing the first match against South Africa, Bangladesh bounced back in grand style to take the 3-match series by 2-1. Zimbabwe was thumped 3-0 in a one-sided series to end a super successful year. 8. Pakistan – 4: Pakistan. (© JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/AFP/Getty Images) Pakistan had a largely disappointing year in limited-overs cricket. The team lost the World Cup quarterfinal against Aussies however, was under pressure throughout the competition having lost matches against India and West Indies. It managed to qualify winning matches by narrow margins against South Africa and Zimbabwe. The 3-0 loss against Bangladesh highlighted several flaws but the team followed it up with series wins against Zimbabwe at home and Sri Lanka in an away series. Pakistan travelled to Zimbabwe and won 2-1. The series loss against England though once again posed many questions about the team combination and style of play. 9. West Indies – 1: West Indies. (© Getty Images) The team started the year with a 4-1 loss against the Proteas in an away series. West Indies lost its opening game against Ireland however, beat Pakistan and managed to qualify for the knockouts. In the quarter-final, New Zealand hammered West Indies to no end and sent them packing. Sri Lanka blanked the fellow islanders by 3-0 in a one-sided series. 10. Afghanistan – 5: Afghanistan. (© Getty Images) Cricket in Afghanistan is on a rise and the team gave a good account of itself in 2015. The Dubai triangular series witnessed the team defeating Scotland and Ireland however the Irish were the eventual winners of the tourney. In the World Cup, they beat Scotland in a thrilling encounter. Afghanistan nearly pulled off a win against Sri Lanka in another closely fought encounter. The team travelled to Zimbabwe and won the series 3-2 registering their first triumph against a full member nation. In the ongoing 5-match series against the same team in UAE, the Afghans went up 2-0 at the end of the year.