India have reclaimed the No. 1 ranking in one-day internationals for the
first time in three years. by finishing 0.20 rating points ahead of
England after their 3-2 victory in the ODI series.
India had become the top ranked side after winning the third ODI on
January 19 and held onto the spot, aided by South Africa's loss in their
home series against New Zealand.
But they ended the series by being beaten, losing by seven wickets in
Dharamsala, India's highest international venue. MS Dhoni had lost the
toss on a chilly morning and England's fast bowlers struck three times
in the first ten overs and reduced the hosts to 79 for 5 in the 22nd
over.
"It was a bad toss to lose. Initially, in places like Dharamsala or
Guwahati, where you have an early start, the ball does a bit," Dhoni
said. "But this is good exposure for the younger batsman about how to
play when the ball is seaming and swinging. The wicket eased out during
the second half and it became easier for batting."
The fourth wicket of that top-order collapse was Gautham Gambhir, who
cut James Tredwell to Ian Bell at point and was caught on 24. The
dismissal continued a lean run for Gambhir, who had failed to pass 20 in
the three ODIs against Pakistan. He began this series with a
half-century in Rajkot but made only 8, 33 and 10 in three matches
before Dharamsala.
"Yeah, he [Gambhir] has been going through a lean patch but he is an
experienced player. I believe he has batted a bit better in the last few
games," Dhoni said. "Unlike some of the earlier matches, he didn't look
tentative and was a lot more decisive about stroke-making. "I believe
he is improving and don't forget he is an amazing player of spin
bowling. Ideally, we want him to bat till the 35th-40th over."
Another concern for India is the form of offspinner R Ashwin, who took 0
for 50 in Dharamsala and finished the series with seven wickets at
35.71 apiece. He was outbowled by left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja and
England offspinner Tredwell. Dhoni said Ashwin's poor returns could be
because of his excessive use of variations.
"Maybe he was using variations a bit too much but he has now realised
his mistake," Dhoni said. "In the last couple of matches, he has been
more consistent about length. He has not used too many variations and
was trying to bowl to one line. The new ODI rules, with five fielders
inside the circle, has also made it slightly difficult."
India don't play one-day cricket for quite some time now, with Australia
touring for four Tests in February and March, followed by the IPL in
April and May.
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