- Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin surged to the top of the ICC Test bowlers’ rankings, propelled by a stellar performance in his 100th Test match.
- Meanwhile, his compatriot and captain, Rohit Sharma, ascended to sixth place among the world’s top batsmen, marking a remarkable comeback in the latest ICC rankings.
- Ashwin’s masterclass was evident throughout the intense battle against England in Dharamsala.
- He claimed four crucial wickets in the first innings and an extraordinary 36th five-wicket haul in the second innings, leading India to a resounding victory in the fifth and final Test of the series.
- This exceptional performance propelled Ashwin past his teammate Jasprit Bumrah, reclaiming the premier position that he had earlier held this year, as confirmed by the ICC in a statement.
- Moreover, in the all-rounders’ rankings, India’s Ravindra Jadeja maintained a commanding lead over Ashwin.
In a dazzling display of skill and prowess, Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin surged to the top of the ICC Test bowlers’ rankings, propelled by a stellar performance in his 100th Test match. Meanwhile, his compatriot and captain, Rohit Sharma, ascended to sixth place among the world’s top batsmen, marking a remarkable comeback in the latest ICC rankings unveiled on Wednesday.
Ashwin’s masterclass was evident throughout the intense battle against England in Dharamsala. The seasoned right-armer claimed four crucial wickets in the first innings and followed it up with an extraordinary 36th five-wicket haul in the second innings, leading India to a resounding victory in the fifth and final Test of the series.
This exceptional performance propelled Ashwin past his teammate Jasprit Bumrah, reclaiming the premier position that he had earlier held this year, as confirmed by the ICC in a statement. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma’s brilliant century in Dharamsala catapulted him five places up the rankings to secure the sixth spot, positioning him just 108 rating points away from the top-ranked Test batter, Kane Williamson.
Further amplifying India’s dominance, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill also made significant strides in the rankings. Jaiswal climbed two places to eighth, while Gill leaped an impressive 11 spots to jointly hold the 20th position, courtesy of their outstanding performances against Ben Stokes’ side.
However, amidst India’s triumph, there were noteworthy movements elsewhere in the rankings. Bumrah, following his commendable six scalps in the second Test against New Zealand in Christchurch, now shares the second position with Australian seamer Josh Hazlewood. Additionally, Ashwin’s teammate Kuldeep Yadav soared to a career-high rating, ascending 15 places to secure the 16th position overall after his remarkable seven-wicket haul and Player of the Match heroics against England.
In a testament to the global nature of cricket, New Zealand’s Matt Henry also made significant strides, advancing six spots to secure the 12th position, marking a career-best ranking for the Kiwi bowler.
Moreover, in the all-rounders’ rankings, India’s Ravindra Jadeja maintained a commanding lead over Ashwin, with Australia’s Pat Cummins and New Zealand’s Matt Henry making notable gains, climbing to eighth and 11th positions respectively.
The latest ICC rankings underscore the individual brilliance and collective strength of players from across the cricketing world, reflecting the dynamic nature of the sport and the relentless pursuit of excellence by its finest exponents.
(With inputs from agencies)
