Australia gain the top spot in ODI Rankings after defeating India in the 3rd ODI by 21 Runs

After defeating the hosts India by 2-1 in the series, Australia is now leading the top ranking in the Mens ODI Cricket team.

Only a few months ago, Australian T20 cricket seemed to be at a crossroads, with Aaron Finch resigning as one-day captain and the T20 squad failing to go to the World Cup semifinals at home.

However, Australia again showed its regrouping swiftly, bouncing back and eventually dominating India, where they won the series by 21 runs in Chennai on Wednesday, headed by stand-in captain Steve Smith. Since Australia defeated them four years ago, India has not lost an ODI series at home.

Aussie’s Star All-rounder Mitchell Marsh said, “I think in World Cup years, it can be effortless to look too far ahead, But we wanted to be focused on this series and make sure that our focus was winning games for Australia.

“So, really proud of the guys' efforts to beat the number one team in the world in their backyard. It’s a great achievement … Very proud of the lads, and it’s the first step towards our World Cup.” Marsh added. India will host the 13th Edition of the World Cup in October-November.

Australia, a five-time winner of the 50-over World Cup, was without seasoned opener David Warner and regular captain Pat Cummins for the first two games of the series but filled their absence admirably.

Left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc destroyed India with a five-wicket haul in the second game, and Man of the Series Marsh, who replaced Warner at the top of the batting order alongside Travis Head, finished with 194 runs at an average of 97.00.

When the second spinner Ashton Agar's performance in Chennai turned the game on its head by dismissing Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav in consecutive deliveries, would have inspired selectors of the Australian team, where Agar was named Man of the Match with a four-wicket haul.