'No. 1 ranking is definitely a prize we're eyeing up': Harry Brook after sealing the series

England captain Harry Brook has made no secret of his side's ambitions, admitting that the world No. 1 T20I ranking is "definitely a prize" they are eyeing up after sealing a commanding series victory over India. Fresh from leading his team to a nine-wicket demolition in Bristol, Brook has set his sights on completing the job in the final match to reach the summit of the men's rankings.

England's clinical win on Thursday secured their first-ever bilateral T20I series triumph over India with a game to spare, and victory in Saturday's finale would carry an even greater reward.

The prize on offer

Brook was clear about what is at stake heading into the dead rubber at Southampton. He revealed the team had been told that a win in the next game would take them to world No. 1, and described that as a prize they are firmly targeting.

Should England prevail at the Utilita Bowl, they would displace the reigning T20 World Cup champions India at the top of the ICC men's T20I rankings — a fitting reward for a side that has quietly become one of the most formidable outfits in the format.

Chasing a convincing clean sweep

Far from easing off with the series already won, Brook wants his team to finish the job in style. He said that beating India 4-0 would be a pretty special series win, and going to No. 1 in the world would be even better, framing it as the team's main aim.

His message to his players was to go out and try to beat India convincingly once more, underlining the ruthless mindset that has defined England's white-ball cricket under his leadership.

Leading from the front

Brook backed up his words with another captain's masterclass in Bristol. He blasted an unbeaten 79 from just 35 balls, sharing a brutal, unbroken second-wicket stand of 146 with Phil Salt, who made 59 not out, to see England home with 37 balls to spare.

Reflecting on the win, Brook praised his side's adaptability, explaining that they had identified bowling at the top of the stumps and using cutters slightly shorter of a length as the hardest deliveries to hit on the surface. He also singled out the exceptional communication between the coaches and the players on the field.

A white-ball side on the rise

The England skipper was bullish about the trajectory of his team. He admitted they "probably didn't expect" to be 3-0 up with a match to play, but felt it was a fair reflection of their progress in the shorter formats.

Since Brook took over the captaincy last year, England have won 19 of their 22 completed T20Is, a run that includes falling agonisingly short while chasing 254 against India in the T20 World Cup semi-final in March. He described the white-ball side as being on a "really good path", having adapted superbly to varying surfaces and conditions.

Eyeing a sporting double

Brook is also hoping the day can deliver a memorable sporting double for English fans. The T20I in Southampton coincides with England's football team facing Norway in a World Cup quarter-final later that evening.

He admitted the squad would be keeping a close eye on the football and watching the game, adding that going to world No. 1 while England's footballers reached the semi-finals would be "pretty cool" — a nod to the buoyant mood the team's form has helped create.

A shift in mood

The series win arrives at a timely moment for English cricket, which has endured a turbulent period in the Test arena, including a home series defeat to New Zealand and the retirement of Ben Stokes. Brook acknowledged that this dominant white-ball display might have "changed the mood a little bit" around the game.

He was quick to stress, however, that the job is not yet done, with one more match to play. His focus remains on finishing the series strongly and toppling what he described as a very strong Indian side.

The final word

For Brook and England, the incentive could hardly be clearer. A place at the top of the world rankings, a rare clean sweep over the world champions, and the chance to cap a feel-good day for English sport all hinge on one final performance. On the evidence of their imperious form this series, England will head to Southampton brimming with the confidence to grasp it.