In the latest ICC Men’s Test Rankings update, Indian cricket fans were surprised as Virat Kohli dropped out of the top 10 for the first time in recent years, while wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant climbed to a career-best No. 6 after a remarkable performance in his Test return.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma struggle in Chennai Test
Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma had a disappointing outing in the first Test match against Bangladesh in Chennai. Kohli managed only 21 runs in total, while Rohit fared even worse, contributing just 11 runs.
As a result, both batting stalwarts have seen a drop in their rankings. Kohli, who was once a fixture in the top 10, has fallen to the 12th spot, while Rohit Sharma has dropped to 10th place.
The match, however, ended in a comfortable victory for India, with several other players stepping up.
Rishabh Pant shines on return
Rishabh Pant’s return to Test cricket has been nothing short of spectacular. The explosive wicketkeeper-batter smashed a century, scoring 109 in the second innings and 39 in the first. His consistent performances have earned him a significant rise in the ICC rankings, placing him at No. 6, his highest-ever position. Pant’s return has added depth to India’s batting order, and his form will be crucial as India continues its World Test Championship campaign.
Shubman Gill and Ravichandran Ashwin on rise
Young opener Shubman Gill also continues his upward trajectory. After scoring an unbeaten 119 in the second innings, he moved up to a career-best 14th position in the rankings.
Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin, known for his all-round contributions, jumped seven places to reach 72nd position among batters after scoring a crucial 113 in the first innings. Ashwin also remains at the top of the bowling rankings.
Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin all-rounder dominance
India’s all-rounders, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, were instrumental in India’s victory. Jadeja’s 86 in the first innings and five wickets in the match have earned him a rise to 37th in the batting rankings and sixth in the bowling rankings. Jadeja continues to top the all-rounder rankings, with a career-best 475 points, while Ashwin remains in second place, gaining an additional 48 points.
Other notable performances
In other movements, opener Yashaswi Jaiswal broke into the top five for the first time after a steady half-century in the first innings, while fast bowler Akash Deep climbed 10 places to 88th after claiming two wickets.
From Bangladesh, captain Najmul Hussain Shanto’s impressive knock of 82 in the second innings helped him move up 14 places to 48th. Seam bowler Hasan Mahmud also gained, jumping five spots to 44th among bowlers.
Worldwide Changes in ICC Rankings
Beyond India and Bangladesh, significant movements were seen globally. Sri Lankan spinner Prabhat Jayasuriya reached eighth position after a nine-wicket haul against New Zealand. For Afghanistan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz made history by becoming the first Afghan batter to enter the top 10 of the ODI rankings after a standout performance against South Africa.
As India continues to lead the ICC World Test Championship table, the upcoming matches will determine whether Virat Kohli can make a comeback to the top 10, and how high Pant and Gill can climb in the rankings.
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