India target No 1 ODI ranking in three-match series against New Zealand

Rohit Sharma's team take on top-ranked Kiwis in series that begins in Hyderabad on Wednesday

India's Virat Kohli celebrates after reaching his century during the one-day international victory against Sri Lanka at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on January 15, 2023. AFP

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka congratulates Virat Kohli on reaching 150. AP

Virat Kohli celebrates making 150. AP

Virat Kohli on the attack against Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram. AP

India's Shubman Gill (L) walks back to the pavilion after his dismissal for 116. AFP

Virat Kohli is hugged by Shreyas Iyer after reaching his century. AP

Shubman Gill celebrates after reaching his century. AFP

Shubman Gill celebrates. AFP

India captain Rohit Sharma after his dismissal for 42. AFP

India's Shubhman Gill after taking the catch to dismiss Sri Lanka's Avishka Fernando for one. AP

Mohammed Siraj (c) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis. AFP

Mohammed Siraj, left, and teammates celebrate the run-out of Sri Lanka's Chamika Karunaratne. AP

Mohammed Siraj celebrates the dismissal of Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva. AP

Mohammed Shami (R) celebrates after taking the wicket of Charith Asalanka. AFP

Kuldeep Yadav, left, celebrates with captain Rohit Sharma after dismissing Lahiru Kumara. AP

Virat Kohli gestures as Axar Patel watches. AFP

India will be looking to continue their stupendous form in 50-over cricket when they face top-ranked New Zealand in a three-match ODI series that begins in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

Rohit Sharma's team were in unstoppable form in the recently concluded series against Sri Lanka, completing a clean sweep with a world record 317-run win in the third game in Thiruvananthapuram.

Virat Kohli has roared back into form, smashing three centuries in his last four ODIs. He is looking good to break Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 tons in the format. Kohli is on 46 centuries, despite having played nearly 200 fewer ODIs than Tendulkar.

The three-match series against New Zealand will give India an honest assessment of where they stand in the format. The 50-over World Cup will be held in India later this year and the series against the Kiwis, who were finalists in the last two World Cups, will expose any weaknesses in Rohit's team.

If India manage to defeat the Black Caps, and by a margin of 3-0, they will rise to the top of rankings table in ODIs. Any other margin of result will see the Kiwis retain their top ranking. New Zealand are currently on top with 117 points after their recent ODI series win in Pakistan. India are fourth on 110 points, but a congested top five in the format's rankings table means the No 1 spot should change hands often.

What should make the job for India a bit easier is the absence of key New Zealand players in the series. Star batsman Kane Williamson and veteran seamer Tim Southee have decided to give the tour a miss to manage their workload.

In their absence, Tom Latham will lead the team in the ODI series and Mitchell Santner in the subsequent T20s.

Meanwhile, a back injury has forced India batsman Shreyas Iyer out of the ODI series, the country's cricket board said on Tuesday. Rajat Patidar will replace Iyer in the squad.