India pay the price for playing minor teams

‘‘The ICC ODI ratings assess the performances of a team over two years, not over two months,’’ Speed said.

‘‘For example, India’s unchanged rating reflects the fact that while it enjoyed some success in key tournaments, it has also performed quite poorly at other times against teams that were ranked below it in the table.

‘‘The updated ratings table published last week indicates that there is little to separate the middle-ranking teams in world cricket. On the field, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and West Indies are evenly matched and with only three points separating these teams, the table reflects just how close these sides are to each other.’’

David Kendix, the man who devised the ICC system, pointed out that India’s current ranking includes series losses to West Indies and New Zealand as well as the success in South Africa. ‘‘India’s success at the ICC World Cup does not alter history. Unfortunately for India, since its recent results are broadly similar to its older results, its rating has not improved and so it has been narrowly overtaken in the overall standings,’’ he said.

Kendix said India had paid the price for playing weaker sides over the last two years than any of its rivals. India’s schedule has pitted it against teams with an average rating of just 94 points while England (107) and New Zealand (105) have been consistently playing against more highly rated teams, the ICC said.

The weighted average rating of the opposition faced by the top eight countries over the past two years is: Australia-105, England-107, India-94, New Zealand-105, Pakistan-101, South Africa-103, Sri Lanka-104, West Indies-103.