India must win all three one-day internationals (ODIs) against Zimbabwe to retain their second place in the ODI rankings, according to the International Cricket Council (ICC).
A second-string side, led by Ajinkya Rahane, arrived in Harare on Wednesday where they take on the hosts in a three-match ODI series from Friday. The senior-most member of the squad, Harbhajan Singh, made a comeback into the side after two years and played the lone Test against Bangladesh last month.
“Arrived in Harare, Zimbabwe. Good to be back and see the local drum players welcoming us at the hotel,” Harbhajan tweeted.
He did not play the three ODIs in Dhaka because the selectors felt “chopping and changing the combination” was unnecessary.
Second-ranked India (115 points) are 71 points ahead of 11th-ranked Zimbabwe and are overwhelming favourites to win the series 3-0. Failing to do so will drop India down the list.
A 3-0 win for India will help them maintain their second ranked position with 115 points.
A 2-1 win for India will see them drop two points but maintain their second spot, and a 1-2 loss will mean India surrender four points and go down to fourth.
A 3-0 win for Zimbabwe will take them to 52 points to overtake Ireland in 10th spot, with India sliding to fifth spot with 109.
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