Team India registered an authoritative victory over Australia in the first game of the three-match series in Mohali on Friday. The win also helped India reach a unique feat -- to become the No. 1 ranked team in all three formats of the game. A series whitewash will help India to start the ICC World Cup campaign at home as the top Test, T20I and ODI team of the world.
India took the field on Friday being the top-ranked side in both T20I and Test rankings. The victory over the Kangaroos meant the Men in Blue overtaking Pakistan to become the top-ranked side in the ODI format of the game as well.
The win took India's rating points in the ODI to 115, one point more than Pakistan, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed. "As a result of the win, India now reign supreme across all formats as the No.1 team, having already occupied the top spot in Tests and T20Is," the ICC report said.
Both India and Australia had opportunities to reach the ODI summit during the Asia Cup and the South Africa series but lost games when it mattered. As a result of the defeat, Australia no longer stand a chance to be the No.1 team heading into the World Cup. However, Pakistan could still go to the top if Australia win the remaining two matches," the report added.
The Proteas are the only team which managed to reach the milestone before India. The African side reportedly did it in 2012. The BCCI also confirmed the national team's unique achievement over X (formerly Twitter)
India vs Australia: As it happened
Put into bat, Australia were all out for 276 in exactly 50 overs even though 300 looked within their reach before Shami polished off their tail. In reply, four of India's top six batters smashed half-centuries even as the home side rested several frontline players, and romped home with eight balls to spare.
Shami removed Mitchell Marsh in the first over to give India a strong start after home captain KL Rahul won the toss and elected to field. Nearly all of Australia's frontline batters got the starts in the match but only David Warner (52) managed a half-century. The left-hander combined in a 94-run stand with Steve Smith, who made 41 in his return to action from a wrist injury. Marnus Labuschagne (39) and Cameron Green (31) chipped in with useful runs in the middle order but could not soldier on.
Australia still looked poised for a bigger total with Josh Inglis (45) and Marcus Stoinis (29) scoring freely. Shami returned to claim three lower-order wickets to hasten their collapse. India began their chase brightly, aided by Shubman Gill's (74) silken batting and a reprieve to Ruturaj Gaikwad (71) when Jos Inglis dropped the batter, then on 17, off Sean Abbott's bowling.
Gaikwad opened the innings in place of regular skipper Rohit Sharma, who is among several frontline players rested for the first two matches of the series to keep them fresh for the home World Cup beginning on Oct. 5.
After Adam Zampa removed both the openers and Shreyas Iyer ran himself out in between, Australia looked back in the contest. Suryakumar Yadav, who made a cheeky 50, and Rahul batted sensibly to frustrate Australia. Rahul made 58 not out, staying put till the end to secure India's victory by hitting Abbott for a four and a six.
