Even as the cut-off date for announcing the best team draws closer, the battle for the number two spot in the ICC ODI Championship gets interesting with India, South Africa and Sri Lanka emerging as contenders.

Only three ratings points separate second-ranked India and third placed South Africa from fourth-ranked Sri Lanka.

The side which finishes second on the April 1 cut-off date receives $75,000. Sri Lanka on Tuesday moved to 113 ratings points after defeating India by 51 runs in Brisbane while India slipped to join South Africa on 116. However, India are still ranked above South Africa when the ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point.