In the latest ICC Test rankings update, Indian batsman Ajinkya Rahane has made an impressive comeback, climbing to the 37th position. Rahane’s remarkable performance in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia helped him secure his place in the rankings chart. Joining him is fellow teammate Shardul Thakur, who rose to the 94th position among batters. Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin maintains his top spot among Test bowlers, despite not participating in the WTC final.
Australia’s rank dominance is evident, as their batters occupy the top three positions. Following their outstanding centuries in the WTC final victory against India at The Oval, Steve Smith and Travis Head have joined top-ranked Marnus Labuschagne in the rankings. Labuschagne holds the coveted number-one position with 903 rating points, while Smith has advanced to the second spot with 885 rating points. Head’s brilliant performance has lifted him to a career-best third position.
It is worth noting that having batters from the same team occupying the top three spots in the Test rankings is a rare occurrence. The last time this happened was in 1984 when West Indies players Gordon Greenidge, Clive Lloyd, and Larry Gomes topped the list.
Despite India’s loss in the WTC final, Rahane’s scores of 89 and 46 played a crucial role in his return to the rankings chart. The dashing wicketkeeper-batsman, Rishabh Pant, remains the highest-ranked Indian at number 10. Captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retain their positions at 12th and 13th, respectively.
In the bowling department, veteran off-spinner Ashwin continues to dominate as the top-ranked Test bowler, despite not featuring in the playing XI during the WTC final. Ravindra Jadeja, another talented spinner from India, holds his ninth spot. However, Jasprit Bumrah, who hasn’t played a Test match since July 2022 due to injury, has dropped two spots to eighth.
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The recent rankings update also witnessed notable progress for several Australian players. Wicketkeeper Alex Carey moved up 11 places to 36th after his impressive scores of 48 and an unbeaten 66. Spinner Nathan Lyon advanced two places to sixth, while Scott Boland rose five to 36th due to their impressive five-wicket hauls in the WTC final.
As the players continue to make their mark in the world of Test cricket, these rankings serve as a testament to their performances and contribute to the ever-evolving landscape of the sport.
