Top spot incentive for India by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	MS Dhoni
Event:	Australia in India 2009/10

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DateLine: 24th October 2009

 

The Indian team might become the number one ODI team again, if they win the ODI series against Australia.

 

Behind table-topper Australia by four rating points, MS Dhoni's side will reach the top if they win the series but they can also drop below third placed South Africa if they lose 6-1 or 7-0, read to an ICC release.

 

India could regain the spot for the third time in as many months as the series begins in Vadodara on Sunday.

 

The side had surged to the top of the ladder after defeating New Zealand in its opening match in the tri-series in Colombo on August 11 and then again following South Africa's loss to Sri Lanka in the ICC Champions Trophy 2009 opener at Centurion on September 22.

 

However, good times spent at the top has been short for Dhoni's men as they slipped back into second position after losing to Sri Lanka at Colombo on 12 August and then to Pakistan at Centurion on 26 September.

 

If India beat Australia by 4-3 or better in this series, they will be guaranteed a place at the top this time for a longer period.