Indian ace batsman Sachin Tendulkar has climbed up to third position in the ICC ODI Players Rankings after belting a record-breaking double-century in the second ODI against South Africa in Gwalior on Wednesday.

Tendulkar, who remained unbeaten on 200 in his 442nd ODI appearance, has lifted three places and now trails second-placed Mike Hussey of Australia by 43 points with India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni strengthening his position at the top of the rankings after hitting a 35-ball 68 not out. While Tendulkar has domed into third position, his fellow opener Virender Sehwag has dropped one place to 10th position.

AB de Villiers remains South Africa’s highest-ranked batsman in fourth position after stroking an unbeaten 114 in Gwalior. Jacques Kallis has retained his 11th position but Herschelle Gibbs has slipped one place to 16th spot.

Rank      (+/-)       Player                   Team     Pts          Ave         HS Rating

1           ( – )          MS Dhoni              Ind          827         51.53     837 v Aus at Delhi 2009

2           ( – )          Mike Hussey        Aus         809         53.94     865 v NZ at Perth 2007

3           (+3)         S. Tendulkar         Ind          766         45.12     887 v Zim at Sharjah 1998

4           (-1)          AB de Villiers        SA           759!       40.89     759 v Ind at Gwalior 2010

5           (-1)          Ricky Ponting       Aus         739         43.30     831 v NZ at Hobart 2007

6           (-1)          Graeme Smith      SA           722         40.67     785 v Ind at Kolkata 2005

7=        ( – )          S.Chanderpaul     WI          714         41.66     778 v Eng at Guyana 2009

( – )          Chris Gayle           WI          714         39.38     808 v Zim at Harare 2003

9           (+1)         K. Sangakkara     SL           701         36.55     755 v Pak at Colombo (RPS) 2006

10         (-1)          Virender Sehwag  Ind          697         34.25     787 v NZ at Auckland 2003