India vs New Zealand: Virat Kohli to script history again after impressive ranking against Sri Lanka
Team India earned the biggest-ever victory in one-day internationals after they smashed Sri Lanka by 317 runs in the final ODI in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala as Virat Kohli put on a batting masterclass and Mohammed Siraj excelled with the ball as both scripted history in ICC rankings.
India’s Talisman Virat Kohli was unbeaten with an incredible 166, hitting eight sixes and 13 fours in his 110-ball show making his 46th ODI century. The former captain is now only three short of Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time record for most ODI rankings.
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Now, Men in Blue will be seen next in action against New Zealand as the two sides meet for a three-match ODI series. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will continue to be a part of the gang but due to personal commitments, KL Rahul may remain absent. Also, Axar Patel will miss the series as Shahbaz Ahmed has been named in the squad.
KOHLI SIRAJ DISMANTLE SRI LANKAN BATTING LINEUP
Virat Kohli gave a clear warning that 2023 could be his year as he smashed an unbeaten 166 in the third ODI against Sri Lanka. With his masterclass batting along with Shubman Gill, the game turned into a nightmare for Sri Lanka and especially when Ashen Bandara and Vandersay suffered freak injuries and were taken to hospital immediately.
It is known to be the darkest on-field days in Sri Lanka cricket as after a heavy collision in the outfield, two of their star fielders were stretchered off, before their batting lineup collapsed to the biggest loss in ODI history.
Sri Lankan fielders Ashen Bandara and Jeffrey Vandersay heavily collided and were stretchered from the ground in an attempt to save the boundary with both sets of eyes firmly focussed on the ball.
The incident reminded the collision between Jason Gillespie and Steve Waugh in 1999 which was almost similar to this – and it left Gillespie with a broken leg and Waugh with a broken nose.
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BRIEF SCORES:
India: 390 runs with 5 wickets down in 50 overs
Virat Kohli 166 (unbeaten), Shubman Gill 116
Sri Lanka: (73 runs) All out in 22 overs
Nuwanidu Fernando 19; Mohammed Siraj 4/32)
BIGGEST ODI WINS (BY RUNS)
317 Runs – India beat Sri Lanka in 2023
290 Runs – New Zealand beat Ireland in 2008
275 Runs – Australia beat Afghanistan in 2015
272 Runs – South Africa beat Zimbabwe in 2010
258 Runs – South Africa beat Sri Lanka in 2012
257 Runs – India beat Bermuda in 2007
257 Runs – South Africa beat West Indies in 2015
MOST MEN’S ODI HUNDREDS
49 – Sachin Tendulkar (India)
46 – Virat Kohli (India)
30 – Ricky Ponting (Australia/ICC)
29 – Rohit Sharma (India)
28 – Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka/Asia)
A LOOK AT VIRAT KOHLI’S BEST ICC RANKING ACROSS FORMAT OVER THE YEARS
Virat Kohli achieved 897 rating points in T20Is in 2014
Virat’s highest rating has been 911 in 2018 in ODI’s.
Kohli has stayed at the numero uno position in ODIs for the most number of days among Indians.
Kohli highest rating has been 937 which he achieved in 2018 in Test rankings.
During India’s Tour of South Africa, 3rd ODI in 2018 – Virat Kohli scored a magnificent 160* off 159 balls to take his team to a total of 303 runs. He scored 3 centuries in the six-match series.
During India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup in 2012 (Virat scored 183 off 148 balls)
During New Zealand’s Tour of India, 3rd ODI in 2016 (Virat scored 154 off 134 balls)
During West Indies’ Tour of India, 2nd ODI, 2018 (Virat scored 157* off 129 balls)
During the recent Sri Lanka’s Tour of India, 3rd ODI in 2023 (Virat scored 166* runs off 110 balls)
ICC ODI RANKINGS: HOW CAN INDIA REACH WORLD NO 1 IN ODIS?
India are currently 4th on the ODI rankings behind NZ, England and Australia with 109 ranking points.
With 3-0 win over Sri Lanka, India has reached 110 POINTS
A 3-0 clean-sweep against New Zealand will help India surpass Kiwis with 114 points.
NZ will drop down to 4th due to negative points.
England will stay No 2 while Australia will be No 3.
| ICC ODI RANKINGS | ||
| Team | Position | Rating |
| New Zealand | 1st | 115 |
| England | 2nd | 113 |
| Australia | 3rd | 112 |
| India | 4th | 109 |
Now after this incredible performance, Rohit Sharma & Co are just two series away from becoming World No 1 across all three formats of the game in the (International Cricket Council) ICC Rankings.
Although, India are already ranked first in T20Is and if they beat New Zealand 3-0 at home in the upcoming ODI series, India will dethrone Kiwis for the World No 1 spot.
Furthermore, India can also become World No 1 side in Tests if they claim the 4-match Test series 1-0 or 3-1.
