The 25-year-old, who had briefly reigned the rankings charts last year, has just completed a successful four-match series against Sri Lanka, having scored 115 runs in two innings, including a match-winning 67 not out in the third ODI at Margao.

He averages 46.61 in ODIs with a remarkable career strike-rate of 98.49.

Ponting, who did not play in Australia's 3-0 series defeat to New Zealand which concluded on Tuesday, is in third position while his compatriot and stand-in captain Michael Hussey continues to occupy the top spot. Hussey is the only batsman currently holding more than 800 ratings points (817).

Dhoni's India team-mate Yuvraj Singh is up five places to 15th position, now just two places behind Rahul Dravid while Sachin Tendulkar slid one place from 19th position to barely manage his place in the top 20.

West Indies all-rounder Chris Gayle has moved up two places to number five while other players on an upward move include Matthew Hayden (up 11 places to 23rd spot) and Stephen Fleming (up four places to 24th).

Following New Zealand's 3-0 clean sweep of Australia, Fleming's side has moved ahead of Pakistan into third place in the ICC ODI Championship, a timely boost for the team ahead of the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup in the West Indies.

Despite its recent run of defeats, Australia still boasts four batsmen in the top ten.