England lose number one ranking ahead of ICC Champions Trophy
England's preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy have been hit by the loss of top spot in the world rankings. Alastair Cook's team slumped to a 127-run defeat to India in the second one-day international in Kochi, a result that handed South Africa the number one position. India's victory was largely thanks to a quick-fire sixth-wicket stand of 96 between Mahendra Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja, as the hosts scored 285-6.
England then slumped to 158 all out in reply to leave the five-match series level at 1-1. Dhoni's performance showed exactly why fans all over the world are so keen to buy cricket tickets to see him play. The India captain's knock of 72 included nine boundaries and transformed the home side's innings from a lacklustre showing into a competitive total. However, it was Jadeja who collected the man of the match award, after he scored an unbeaten 61 from just 37 deliveries and then picked up the wickets of England youngsters Joe Root and Chris Woakes with his left-arm spin.
Dhoni and Jadeja are not the only reason Indian cricket fans will be desperate to get their hands on ICC Champions Trophy tickets. Their team, which is likely to begin the tournament in England in June in third position in the world rankings, is packed with talent and is more than capable of defeating South Africa, West Indies and traditional rivals Pakistan in the group stage. India boast two of the top four batsmen in the ODI rankings - Dhoni and Virat Kholi - together with the brilliant opener Gautam Gambhir and the fast-scoring Suresh Raina. All their potential opponents will be aware that India have the ability to amass huge scores.
The off spin of Ravichandran Ashwin and seam bowling of Bhuvneshwar Kumar will also cause teams problems, but in English conditions, pace is likely to be the key factor. India's fast bowling options are limited and Ishant Sharma, who failed to take a wicket in Kochi, looks vulnerable against world class batsmen. Despite their defeat to India and their poor record in one-day tournaments, England will be confident of success in the ICC Champions Trophy.
Not only will they have home advantage, they should also have their strongest line-up available. England skipper Cook was without three-quarters of his first choice bowling attack - Graeme Swann, James Anderson and Stuart Broad - in Kochi, while Steven Finn, who is currently sixth in the world bowling rankings, took two wickets without being close to his best. The tourists also missed their top-ranked batsman, Jonathan Trott, in India. He will return for the tournament to strengthen a line-up that can already boast Cook, Kevin Pietersen, Eoin Morgan and Ian Bell, along with big-hitting wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter.
One area of concern for England ahead of their group games against Sir Lanka, New Zealand and holders Australia is the lack of a genuine all-rounder. The role could go to Root, who bowls off spin, the inconsistent Samit Patel or to Tim Bresnan, who has scored just one half-century in one-day international cricket. All three will have their chance to stake a claim for the position in the final three matches of the series in India, as England look to regain their form and reclaim their number one ranking.