India can regain ODI top spot with clean-sweep against Lanka

There's a lot at stake in India's one-day series against Sri Lanka beginning July 21 as Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men have the chance to regain the number one spot if they clean-sweeps the five-match rubber.

India, who are at fourth spot in the Reliance ICC ODI rankings, last held the number one position briefly in September 2009 but if it achieves a clean sweep against Sri Lanka, Dhoni's side will unseat current table-toppers Australia.

The series, which starts in Hambantota on July 21, brings together the finalists in the World Cup 2011, held in Mumbai in April last year. India won that match by six wickets to lift the trophy for the first time in 28 years. 

After years of domination by Australia, the Reliance ICC ODI Team Rankings table is now extremely tight after Michael Clarke's team suffered a 4-0 defeat in England recently.

Only two rating points separate the top four teams with South Africa and England sandwiched between Australia and fourth placed India.

Sri Lanka-India series again utilizes the three grounds which are a legacy of the World Cup 2011. The first two ODIs are in Hambantota, followed by two at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo with the final match in Pallekele on August 4. 

At the conclusion of the series, the ICC will publish the annual update of the table which will discard the results of ODIs played prior to August 2010.

Reliance ICC ODI Team Rankings:
1. Australia (119);
2. South Africa (118);
3. England (118);
4. India (117);
5. Sri Lanka (112);
6. Pakistan (103);
7. West Indies (87);
8. New Zealand (83);
9. Bangladesh (67);
10. Zimbabwe (46);
11. Ireland (36);
12. Netherlands (15);
13. Kenya (8).