India vs Nepal Cricket Standings 2026: ICC Rankings, Points & Records
India vs Nepal Cricket Standings 2026 show a significant gap in international rankings and tournament results. India has remained among the world’s top-ranked sides, while Nepal is developing as a competitive associate nation. In the 2026 T20 World Cup, India topped Group C while Nepal finished fifth. The two sides are also scheduled to meet through an India tour of Nepal in December 2026.
| Category | India | Nepal |
|---|---|---|
| ODI Ranking | No. 1 | No. 18 |
| T20I Ranking | No. 1 | No. 14 (updated) |
| 2026 T20 World Cup | Group C leader (Super 8) | 5th in Group C |
| Head-to-head (ODI) | 1 win | 0 wins |
| Next scheduled meeting | India A (away) | Nepal (home) |
| December series | Away | Home |
ICC Rankings: The Current Picture
India’s Position
India sits at No. 1 in both the ODI and T20I rankings. In ODIs, India has 3,841 points from 33 matches with a rating of 116, ahead of New Zealand (3,809 points) and Australia (2,965 points).
In T20Is, India has 16,366 points from 61 matches with a rating of 268. England briefly overtook India after a 3–0 series win over Sri Lanka in September 2026, but India reclaimed the top spot following a two-run victory over Japan on September 22. Both teams have 269 rating points, but India leads on decimal count.
Nepal’s Position
Nepal is ranked 18th in ODIs with 790 points from 31 matches and a rating of 25. This represents a drop from earlier in 2026, when Nepal held 795 points from 30 ODIs.
In T20Is, Nepal has 7,699 points from 43 matches with a rating of 179, placing them 15th in the ICC rankings. However, following a five-wicket victory over Afghanistan at the Asian Games on September 25, Nepal climbed two places to 14th in the T20I rankings. This is a significant move for an associate nation.
The gap in raw points is enormous, but the trajectory matters. Nepal is climbing. India is defending.
T20 World Cup 2026: How They Actually Performed
This is where the standings get interesting. India and Nepal were both in Group C of the 2026 T20 World Cup. India topped the group with 3 wins from 3 matches and a net run rate of +3.050. Nepal finished 5th with 1 win from 4 matches and a net run rate of -1.349.
2026 T20 World Cup: India vs Nepal Group C
| Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Points | NRR | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | +3.050 | 1st |
| Nepal | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -1.349 | 5th |
But here is the contrarian take: Nepal’s numbers undersell them. They lost to England by just 4 runs. They beat Scotland. They were not embarrassed. They were competitive.
India, meanwhile, cruised through the group but lost the semi-final to eventual champions Pakistan by 7 runs. A reminder that even the best teams can slip.
If you want a deeper look at how Pakistan navigated a similar transition phase, read our breakdown of the Pakistan vs Bangladesh timeline.
Head-to-Head: What the Record Actually Shows
The head-to-head record is lopsided. India and Nepal have played very few official matches, but India has won every single one.
India vs Nepal Head-to-Head (ODI)
| Matches | India Wins | Nepal Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
The most recent encounter was the Asia Cup 2023 group match in Pallekele, where India won by 10 wickets via the DLS method. Nepal batted first and scored 230, with Aasif Sheikh scoring a gritty 58. India chased the revised target of 145 in just 20.1 overs, with Rohit Sharma (74) and Shubman Gill (67) finishing unbeaten.
That match is a microcosm of the dynamic. Nepal competed hard for 48 overs. India finished the job in 20.
For a broader perspective on how India performs against newer opponents, check out our analysis of India vs United States.
India A vs Nepal: December 2026 T20 Series
Here is something most fans miss: India A will tour Nepal for a three-match T20 series in December 2026. The matches will be played at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on December 9, 11, and 13.
The tour was finalised on the sidelines of the ICC Annual Conference in Edinburgh following a meeting between Cricket Association of Nepal President Chatur Bahadur Chand, CAN Secretary Paras Khadka, and BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia.
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st T20 | Dec 9, 2026 | TU International Cricket Ground |
| 2nd T20 | Dec 11, 2026 | TU International Cricket Ground |
| 3rd T20 | Dec 13, 2026 | TU International Cricket Ground |
This is not a senior India series. It is India A. But do not dismiss it. For Nepal, this is a massive opportunity—a chance to test their bench against IPL-level talent. For India, it is a pipeline exercise.
If you are tracking India’s long-term planning, this series matters more than the scoreline suggests. You can read more about India’s broader competitive calendar in our Afghanistan vs India breakdown.
FAQs About India vs Nepal Cricket Standings 2026
1. What is the current ICC ranking of India vs Nepal in T20Is?
2. Who won the last India vs Nepal cricket match?
A: India won the last ODI encounter at the Asia Cup 2023 by 10 wickets via the DLS method.
3. Is Nepal better than India in any format?
A: India currently ranks above Nepal in the major men’s international team rankings. Nepal, however, has made progress in T20 cricket and recently climbed to 14th after beating Afghanistan.
4. When will India and Nepal play next?
5. How did Nepal perform in the 2026 T20 World Cup?
A: Nepal won 1 of their 4 group matches, finishing 5th in Group C with a net run rate of -1.349.
6. What is India’s head-to-head record against Nepal?
7. Is Nepal a rising cricket nation?
A: Nepal has qualified for consecutive T20 World Cups and has improved its ICC rankings. The December series against India A will be a key test.
Final Verdict: What to Watch, Not Just What to Read
The India vs Nepal standings are clear. India is No. 1. Nepal is climbing. The gap is enormous.
But here is the actionable insight: do not just look at where they are. Look at where they are going.
- India’s challenge is to maintain results while continuing to develop its next generation of players and manage workloads across a crowded international calendar.
- Nepal’s challenge is converting passion into infrastructure.
- The December India A series is a leading indicator.
For followers of Associate cricket, Nepal’s ranking trajectory and growing exposure against Full Member opposition are worth monitoring.
And if you want more data-driven cricket analysis, explore our Ranji Trophy 2025 winner coverage and our India lowest score in ODI retrospective. You can also check our KL Rahul profile for more on India’s player transitions
About the Author
