India's tour of Australia: MS Dhoni & Co. need one win to retain No.2 spot

New Delhi: India will need to win at least one match in the upcoming One-Day International series in Australia to retain the No.2 spot in ICC ranking.

With Australia already secured of the top spot with 127 points, irrespective of the results in the five-match series, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his boys will need to avoid a clean-sweep by their hosts to hold on to the second spot.

India are 13 points behind the Australians and if they suffered a 0-5 defeat, then South Africa will replace them as the second ranked team in the world. In such a case, India with 111 points will be at third spot, ahead of New Zealand, who are also on 111 points. India will get the higher rank only when ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point.

For Australia, even if they suffer a 0-5 thrashing at the hands of the Indians, Steven Smith's side will still top the charts, with a point ahead of MS Dhoni's team.

India are already in Australia for the ODI series starting Tuesday at Perth. There will be a three-match Twenty20 International series too.