Virat Kohli climbs to the top of Test rankings
Virat Kohli has claimed the top spot in the latest ICC Test Rankings for Batsmen after a splendid performance with the bat in the opening game of the series played at Edgbaston. Kohli smashed a blistering 149 runs to help India get close to England’s first inning score. He followed it up with a half-century in the second innings to see India lose the game by 31 runs.
The 29-year old has climbed to the top of ICC Test rankings since Sachin Tendulkar who achieved the feat in June 2011. He scored an aggregate of 200 runs in the first game of the series to replace Australia’s Steve Smith to clinch no.1 position in the ICC Test rankings. Smith ruled the roost for almost 32 months as the leading batsman in Test cricket.
Virat Kohli has been in excellent form over past six months and has become India’s highest-ranked batsman with 934 points to his name. Rahul Dravid, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag are other players who have reached the top spot in the ICC Test Rankings for Batsmen.
Before Edgbaston Test, Virat Kohli had 903 points to his name but a splendid in the opening game saw him gain 31 points and claim the no.1 position.
England’s rookie all-rounder Sam Curran, climbed to 72nd place after a match-winning effort at Edgbaston. He scored a crucial half-century in the second innings that turned out to be decisive in the end. Curran also chipped with crucial wickets for England in the opening game played at Edgbaston. Wicket-keeper batsman Jonny Bairstow has climbed to 12th position in the ICC Test Rankings for Batsmen
In the ICC Test Rankings for Bowlers, Mohammad Shami and Stuart Broad have climbed into the Top 20 list. England’s premier bowler James Anderson has retained his top spot while South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada is second in the table.
India’s premier spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has gained valuable points after superb bowling performance in the opening game against England. He picked seven wickets and is placed at fifth in the ICC Test Rankings for Bowlers.
