India attains second spot in ICC ODI rankings for first time

Dubai, Feb 6 (PTI) India today attained the number two spot for the first time in ICC's One-Day Rankings history displacing Australia from that position after New Zealand defeated the world champions by six wickets in the second ODI in Melbourne.India, who have made steady progress after its winning streak of nine consecutive ODI triumphs, now have 122 rating points to perch to the second spot for the first time since the ODI rankings were launched in October 2002.
India are now three points behind top rankers South Africa. The Proteas recently climbed to the top of the table at Australia's expense.
Australia (121) have been pushed to the third place while New Zealand follow on fourth rung with 117 points. Pakistan is further down the ladder at fifth while England and Sri Lanka are sixth and seventh respectively.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's side, already 4-0 up in its ongoing series against Sri Lanka, can close the gap to the Proteas to two points if it secures victory in the final ODI in Colombo on Sunday.
But Australia can regain second spot if it wins back-to-back matches against New Zealand in Sydney on Sunday and Adelaide on Tuesday.
And if Australia can string three wins together to take out the series then it will draw level on points with South Africa, although it will still lie second when the ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point. PTI