Rankings: In-form Kohli displaces Amla to go 2nd; Bhuvneshwar breaks into top 10

Following his return to form in the abruptly-ended West Indies series, India batsman Virat Kohli claimed the number two slot in the ICC rankings, while swing bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar broke into the top-10 for the first time in his career.

Kohli scored 191 runs, including 127 in the fourth ODI in Dharamsala, in India's 2-1 series win. He relegated South Africa's Hashim Amla to number three in the list, headed by Amla's compatriot, AB de Villiers.

India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was the next best Indian batsman at number six (unchanged), while Shikhar Dhawan dropped a rung to go eighth.

Left-handed Suresh Raina gained three places to move to 15.

Bhuvneshwar took only two wickets in the series but jumped seven places to number seven, just behind Ravindra Jadeja, who slipped a spot to sixth.

India paceman Mohammed Shami, who ended the series as the most successful bowler with 10 for 174, vaulted five places to 16, breaking into the top 20 for the first time in his career.

De Villiers tops list

Meanwhile, AB de Villiers of South Africa goes into the upcoming series against New Zealand as the No 1-ranked batsman and will be looking to build on his fine recent run of form.

Overall, there are four South Africa batsmen inside the top 20, including De Villiers and Amla, with Quinton de Kock in ninth position and Faf du Plessis in 11th -- just 19 ratings points behind his teammate.

New Zealand’s top-ranked batsman is Ross Taylor, who sits in 10th place in the current rankings.

There are two more New Zealanders inside the top 20, namely Kane Williamson (12th) and Martin Guptill (20th). They will be eying positive improvement in their home series.

Skipper Brendon McCullum (25th) lies 20 ratings points adrift of his team-mate Guptill (20th).

Steyn third-ranked bowler

On the Players Rankings for ODI bowlers, South Africa paceman Dale Steyn will go into the series as the top-ranked bowler in third place, while ninth placed Ryan McLaren is a point adrift of Pakistan’s Mohammad Hafeez.

Kyle Mills is the Black Caps’ leading bowler in 13th place, with Tim Southee lying a solitary ratings point outside the top 20.

Incidentally, Mount Maunganui, which is hosting the first two ODIs on Tuesday and Friday, will debut as an international venue this week.

The third ODI will be played in Hamilton.

India-South Africa joint-second

In the team rankings, India join South Africa at number two with 113 points.

South Africa, though, have a chance to snatch the top spot from Australia (114) when they face New Zealand in the three-match ODI series, starting Wednesday.

A 3-0 series win will put South Africa ahead of the four-time World champions by one ratings point.

If South Africa manage to win all the three matches against New Zealand, then will reclaim the No 1 position for the first time in five years after handing over the baton to Australia following their first-round elimination from ICC Champions Trophy 2009.

On the other hand, if New Zealand win the series, they will leapfrog Pakistan into sixth position. Currently, both Pakistan and New Zealand are on equal points on 98 ratings points but the Black Caps are in seventh position when the ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point.