Close on the heels of a remarkable world cup campaign by the U-19s, India has now toppled South Africa to take the no.1 spot in the latest ICC ODI Championship rankings which happened after they beat the Proteas by 73 runs in the 5th ODI at Port Elizabeth on Feb-13. India is also the top-ranked team in test cricket today.
The Indians have outclassed the opposition in 9 consecutive ODI bilateral series and are on a roll in the shorter format of the game at this point. Under Kohli’s captaincy, this team has won their first ever bilateral ODI series against South Africa which they’re leading 4-1 with one more match to be played. In their current form, I would have to admit they’re my favourite team to win the 2019 World Cup to be held in England & Wales provided they’d have sorted out their middle-order batting woes by then. Ironically, their next ODI series is in July versus England and it’d be interesting to watch the spinners perform in English conditions.
Here’s a list of India’s successive ODI bilateral series Wins from June 2016 to present Feb 2018:
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- Vs Zimbabwe – 3-0 in Zimbabwe
- Vs New Zealand – 3-2 in India
- Vs England – 2-1 in India
- Vs West Indies – 3-1 in West Indies
- Vs Sri Lanka – 5-0 in Sri Lanka
- Vs Australia – 4-1 in India
- Vs New Zealand – 2-1 in India
- Vs Sri Lanka – 2-1 in India
- Vs South Africa – 5-1 in South Africa
(1 match to go)
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West Indies had the most consecutive bilateral series wins of 14 between May 1980 – March 1988 so I am hoping we continue to win more matches!
