Australia's lead at the top of the ICC ODI Championship table stands at its smallest margin in almost four years and the gap may further reduce if third-placed India beat them on Friday.
Following Australia's defeat at the hands of the West Indies and second-placed South Africa's clean sweep of its three-match series against Zimbabwe means the difference between the top two sides is just four rating points.
If India wins tomorrow in Kuala Lumpur it will not only cut Australia's lead but also close in the gap with South Africa to 10 rating points as against current distance of 12 points.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the only Indian player among the top-10 ODI batsmen at sixth spot after he slipped one place while Yuvraj Singh moved out of the elite list after losing three places to 13th.
Among the bowlers, Harbhajan Singh gained one position to be ninth while Irfan Pathan barely managed to be among the top-10 despite losing two places to be 10th. He is followed by compatriot Ajit Agarkar on 11th after he climbed one rank up.
Pathan lies fifth and last among the all-rounders.
The West Indies can reflect on a successful tri-series so far. Not only have Brian Lara's side reached Sunday's final but it has also climbed up one place in the Championship table.
The West Indies have gained seven rating points through victories over India and Australia, enough to take it above England and leave it just two points behind sixth-placed Sri Lanka.
In the Player Rankings for ODI batsmen, Michael Hussey's maiden ODI hundred, against the West Indies, has left him within touching distance of the top position.
Hussey is now just five rating points behind fellow Australian Adam Gilchrist -- who is sitting out the tri-series-- while Ponting completes the top three places. And with Andrew Symonds in fifth spot and Michael Clarke tenth, Australia has five players in the top ten.
