INDIA’s No.1 ODI Ranking lost after defeated by New Zealand

This really doesn’t sounds good to me when I read about INDIA lost its #1 Ranking in ODI’s when defeated by New Zealand, in Hamilton, on 22-01-2014.

According to the sources, and other Ideas this could not have had happened, as the defeat was due to rain-truncated second One-Day International with very least difference of 15-run. With this victory gave the Kiwis a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Brief History of the Match

The INDIAN Team, who needed to win the match to retain the top ranking, made a valiant effort to overhaul a revised target of 297 in 42 overs, but could only managed up 277 for 9 in 41.3.

Duckworth-Lewis par score was 293 in 41.3 overs, when rain intervened for a second time calling off the match. Following the defeat, Australia may regain its pole position in the ICC ODI rankings, which they surrendered to India last January.

India, left with the daunting task of chasing a revised target of 297 as per the D/L method, were again done in by a shaky start and lack of big partnerships. Another big dumping reason was with the openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma who wasted a lot of deliveries to take advantage of the bowling Power-play.

The defeat was all the more heartbreaking as India had relinquished the top position in Tests to England back in 2011 after a 0-4 whitewash. This performance was not for the first time, as earlier, it was another listless performance by the Indian bowlers after Williamson set the platform for the Kiwis with a polished knock and helped all-rounder Anderson cut loose.

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