In the dynamic world of cricket, rankings can change rapidly, reflecting the performances of players on the field. Shubman Gill, the young Indian sensation, has surged to a career-best No. 2 position in the ICC ODI rankings for men’s batters.
Shubman Gill’s remarkable journey up the ICC rankings can be attributed to his stellar performance in the Asia Cup Super Four fixture against Pakistan. During this critical match, Gill played a pivotal role by scoring 58 runs. However, his impact extended beyond the scorecard. Gill, alongside the Indian captain Rohit Sharma, forged a magnificent 121-run opening partnership. This partnership not only set the stage for India’s success but also propelled Gill up the rankings ladder.
Gill’s remarkable innings against Pakistan showcased his prowess as a dependable opener. Despite a comparatively modest performance (19 runs) in the subsequent game against Sri Lanka, his overall contributions earned him a career-best No. 2 position in the ICC ODI rankings for batters. As of now, only Babar Azam stands ahead of this young Indian sensation.
Besides Shubman Gill’s surge, India also witnessed significant gains from two of its cricketing stalwarts, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Virat Kohli, who played a stunning unbeaten century against Pakistan, and Rohit Sharma, consistently delivering scores of 53, 56, and a remarkable 74 not out against Nepal on September 4, both advanced by two places in the rankings. They currently occupy the eighth and ninth positions, respectively.
This noteworthy achievement also marks the return of three Indian batters into the top ten of the ODI rankings, a feat not witnessed since September 2018. Four years ago, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shikhar Dhawan all graced the top six positions, illustrating India’s dominance in the limited-overs format.
On the other side of the border, Pakistan boasts three batters within the top ten of the ODI rankings. Leading the pack is Babar Azam, who continues to reign at the top with a significant lead of more than 100 rating points over Shubman Gill. Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman also find themselves in the top ten, occupying the fifth and tenth positions, respectively.
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Beyond the Indian and Pakistani contingents, South African batter Temba Bavuma has witnessed a remarkable ascent in the rankings. He has surged an impressive 21 places to secure a career-best No. 11 position. Bavuma’s recent exploits, including three centuries and two half-centuries in his last eight ODIs, have significantly contributed to his newfound standing.
Several other players have also made notable gains in the ICC ODI rankings. David Warner has risen from fifth to fourth place, Travis Head has jumped six places to reach the 20th position, and Marnus Labuschagne has climbed a remarkable 24 positions to settle at 45th.
Among the bowlers, New Zealand’s Trent Boult has moved up to a joint-second position following his impressive performance, where he picked up three crucial wickets for 37 runs in his 100th ODI. Adam Zampa, the Australian spinner, has entered the top five for the first time after claiming four wickets in a recent match against South Africa.
Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav has made significant strides, rising five positions to secure the seventh spot in the rankings. His nine-wicket haul in the last two Asia Cup matches showcased his ability to trouble batters and contribute to India’s success.