In stats: series decider between india-sl & all that’s on the line

It has been a long time coming, but we finally have a series between India and Sri Lanka where the winner will be identified in the decider. It came across as a shock when Sri Lanka

demolished India in the first ODI in Dharamsala. But Team India showed character when it bounced back in style in Mohali, defeating the visitors by 141 runs to level the series. Now, off to

the decider in Visakhapatnam, where India have an outstanding record. India have made 8 visits to the venue so far – playing 1 Test, 6 ODIs & 1 T20I previously – and have been beaten

only once. Historically, day and night ODIs at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam have seen teams posting competitive first innings totals – as against run-away gigantic first innings

totals which is a norm in ODIs in the sub-continent. The average total batting first – in D/N ODIs at the coastal venue is 279. Barring the most-recent ODI (in October 2016) when India opted

to bat first against New Zealand, captains winning the toss have generally opted to chase. Their decision has generally been justified too, for teams have chased down targets in 3 of the

four D/N ODIs so far. Team India should begin overwhelming favourites to win the decider – not only because of their domination of the visitors in the 2nd ODI, but also because of their

proven track record in series deciders in recent times. Barring the series against South Africa in 2015, India have generally tasted success in series deciders. This series has been a rare

one in the context of cricket played in the sub-continent, for the quick bowlers have done the bulk of the damage; quick bowlers have so far picked up 18 wickets in this series, while the

spinners have only accounted for 7 scalps. It was Suranga Lakmal who broke the back of the Indian batting line-up in Dharamsala, while the Indian pace attack came good in unison in the

second ODI. Expect the trend to continue in Visakhapatnam, where pitches have generally provided the quick bowlers with plenty of assistance. Expect Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Suranga Lakmal to

cause more damage on Sunday. ICC RANKINGS: NO INCENTIVE ON WINNING DECIDER Strange as it may sound, but India winning the series 2-1 will not have any impact on the ICC ODI rankings. Prior

to the deciding ODI, India are second in the ICC ODI rankings with 119 points, while Sri Lanka are 8th with 84 points. Even if India were to win the decider, the status of both teams will

remain unchanged. However, if Sri Lanka emerge victors on Sunday, they will gain two points and get to 86 points, while India will lose a point. In a math sense, and even in a logical sense,

it just doesn’t add up. Winning a match must be considered as an achievement – no matter who the opposition – and be feted. Surely, a series win should count as an achievement and merits

rewarding the team. But the current ICC rankings system doesn’t consider it that way. Is it time to rethink the algorithm and overhaul the system? Published: 16 Dec 2017, 3:50 PM IST