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Tendulkar tops Pepsi ratings

India's master blaster Sachin Tendulkar retained his position atop the batting standings in the Pepsi world cricket ratings for one-day internationals with his outstanding form during the last fortnight, opening up a massive lead over the rest of the field.

Tendulkar leads the pack with 8832 points, well ahead of the seconed-placed Nick Knight of England, who climbed three places from his fifth position a fortnight ago. Knight (5750 points) is followed by Zimbabwe's Alaister Campbell (5734 points) and Sri Lankan Marvan Atapattu (5625 points), both of whom were pushed back one spot by Knight's rise, according to a release issued today.

India heads the country-wise break-up of the 19 batsmen who make the qualifying mark of 250 runs during the present season. Six Indian batsmen feature in the elite group, followed by five Sri Lankans, three Zimbabweans, two each from South Africa and Pakistan and one from England.

Pakistan's off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who had lost his top spot in the bowling standings last time to South African medium-pacer Jacques Kallis, regained the position at the top of the table with 8483 points.

Saqlain and Kallis exchanged positions at the top, leaving the South African in second spot with 8403 points. He is followed by third-placed South African Allan Donald (8375 points) and fourth- ranked Darren Gough of England (8366 points).

Indian spinning ace Anil Kumble regained some of his lost form to climb up five places and occupy the seventh spot with 8062 points. Despite not having any bowler among the top six. India still has seven bowlers figuring among the 15 who make the qualifying mark of ten wickets during the season.

Other Indian bowlers in the select group are eighth-placed Javagal \srinath (7993 points), ninth-ranked Harbhajan Singh (7838 points), tenth placed Sunil Joshi (7836 points), eleventh ranked Sachin Tendulkar (7806 points), 12th placed Ajit Agarkar (7540 points) and 13th-ranked Venkatesh Prasad (7180 points).

Four Sri Lankans, two South Africans and one bowler each from Pakistan and England complete the list.

Batting:
Sr no.       Player               Team              Points
 1.          Sachin Tendulkar     Ind               8832
 2.          Knight N V           Eng               5750
 3.          Cambell A D R        Zim               5734
 4.          Atapattu             SL               5625
 5.          De silva P A         SL               4979
 6.          Cronje               SA                4954
 7.          Flower A             Zim               4881
 8.          Kallis J             SA                4584
 9.          Ijaz Ahmed           Pak               4512
10.          Robin Singh          Ind               4206
11.          Jadeja Ajay          Ind               4004
12.          Ranatunga A          SL               3976
13.          Azharuddin           Ind               3625
14.          Ganguly              Ind               3461
15.          Aamir Sohail         Pak               3422

 Bowling:
 1.          Saqlain              Pak               8483
 2.          Kallis               SA                8403
 3.          Donald               SA                8375
 4.          Gough                Eng               8366
 5.          Muralitharan         SL               8179
 6.          Wickremasinge      SL               8079
 7.          Kumble               Ind               8062
 8.          Srinath              Ind               7993
 9.          Harbhajan       Ind               7838
10.          Joshi              Ind               7836
11.          Tendulkar            Ind               7806
12.          Agarkar           Ind               7540
13.          Venkatesh Prasad     Ind               7180
14.          Jayasuriya           SL               7104
15.          Dharmasena           SL               5965

UNI