Team India’s remarkable performance in the first Test against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, has significantly impacted the latest ICC Test rankings. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant have emerged as the biggest gainers, showcasing their exceptional talents on the global stage.
Jaiswal Reaches New Heights
Yashasvi Jaiswal has climbed to the 5th position in the ICC Test rankings, making him the highest-ranked Indian batter. His composed half-century in the first innings laid the foundation for India’s commanding 280-run victory over Bangladesh. The young left-hander continues to impress with his consistency and ability to perform under pressure.
Pant’s Impressive Comeback
Rishabh Pant, making a heroic return to Test cricket after a 629-day absence due to a serious car accident, delivered spectacular performances. His gritty knocks of 39 and 109 were instrumental in India’s triumph. As a result, Pant has jumped to the 6th spot in the rankings, cementing his place as one of the top wicketkeeper-batters in the world.
Gill’s Steady Rise
Shubman Gill, who remained unbeaten on 119 in the second innings, has also made significant strides. He has risen five places to secure the 14th position, further solidifying India’s strong batting lineup.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s Decline
Despite India’s success, skipper Rohit Sharma and former captain Virat Kohli have faced setbacks in their rankings. Both stalwarts slipped five places, with Rohit now ranked 10th and Kohli at 12th.
Ashwin and Jadeja Excel Across the Board
India’s all-rounders Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja made substantial gains in both batting and bowling rankings. Ashwin’s vital innings of 113 in the first innings saw him rise seven places to 72nd in the batting rankings, while Jadeja’s solid 86 has propelled him to 37th. Both players also excelled with the ball—Ashwin moved further ahead in the bowling rankings, reinforcing his top position, and Jadeja advanced to 6th place.
Their contributions in both departments have also boosted their rankings as all-rounders. Jadeja continues to dominate the all-rounder charts with a career-high 475 points, while Ashwin remains second, adding 48 points to reach 370.
Bangladesh Players on the Rise
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto’s efforts (scores of 20 and 82) have earned him a rise to 48th place in the Test batting rankings. Fast bowler Hasan Mahmud’s impressive five-wicket haul in the first innings saw him climb five places to 44th among bowlers. Shakib Al Hasan and Taskin Ahmed also saw improvements in their respective rankings, with Shakib moving up to 43rd among batters and Taskin rising to 66th in the bowling rankings.
Global Rankings Movements: Afghanistan and South Africa
Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz has made history by becoming the first player from his country to break into the top 10 in ODI rankings, reaching 8th place following a standout performance in the series against South Africa. His 194-run effort earned him ‘Player of the Series’ honors. Other Afghan players, including Azmatullah Omarzai (up to 35th in batting) and Rashid Khan (now 3rd in bowling), have also made significant gains.
From South Africa, Temba Bavuma’s rise to 25th in the batting rankings and Lungi Ngidi’s climb to 20th in bowling reflect their impressive performances. Australia’s Travis Head is back in the top 10 of the batting rankings after his unbeaten 154 against England, while Adam Zampa continues to hold strong at 2nd place in bowling.
These latest rankings reflect the dynamic nature of international cricket, with players from India, Afghanistan, and South Africa making waves with their performances.
