The Test cricket action for the season is nearing its end with Australia sealing a 3-1 win over India to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 and South Africa’s series white-wash against Pakistan. As the current WTC cycle is coming to a close, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has updated its standings with significant changes in the individual rankings of the players.
Jasprit Bumrah crowned top Test bowler
Jasprit Bumrah had a stellar tour to Australia. The 31-year-old led the Indian team in the first Test match at Perth and last Test at Sydney. The Indian pace sensation was the leading wicket-taker of the series as he took 32 wickets in the 5-match Test series. Bumrah was also named the Player of the Series for his exemplary bowling display throughout BGT 2024-25.
With a career best rating of 908 which he achieved in Sydney against Australia, Bumrah has consolidated his spot as the No.1 Test bowler in the world in the updated ICC rankings. The Australian skipper Pat Cummins has moved one rank upwards with a rating of 841. South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada has clinched the third spot after having a remarkable 2-match Test series against Pakistan.
Other notable bowlers who have moved upwards in Test rankings is Scott Boland who has moved 29 places up with a career best rating of 745 to clinch the 9th spot alongside Ravindra Jadeja. South African spinner Keshav Maharaj has also climbed the ladder and clinched the 17th spot overtaking New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson.
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Kohli slips further in Test Rankings
Indian batters had a dreadful Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Apart from Yashasvi Jaiswal, no Indian batter has performed consistently for the team. An average display from Indian batters is reflected in their updated ICC rankings. The most notable decline in the rankings is that of Virat Kohli. The middle-order batter was placed at 25th spot in the ICC Test rankings before the series. However, with a grim performance with the bat in Australia, his ranking has further dropped down to 27th spot with a meagre rating of 614. The sharp decline in Kohli’s batting abilities can be seen from the fact that the 36-year-old achieved his career best rating of 937 back in 2018.
The situation of other batters is also concerning in the Test rankings. Top-order batter Shubman Gill has dropped down to 23rd place with a rating of 631. Rohit Sharma has further dropped down to 42nd spot with a rating of 554 under his belt. KL Rahul has also registered a decline in his Test rankings. With a rating of 533, Rahul has now dropped down to 52nd spot in the updated rankings.
Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal are the only two batters who have shown progress as far as their rankings are concerned. With a rating of 739, Pant has moved up to clinch the 9th spot. Jaiswal has managed to keep the 4th spot with a rating of 847. Other notable changes in the batting rankings included Temba Bavuma who now holds the 6th place in the rankings. Pakistan’s ace batter Babar Azam has gained 5 spots to hold the 12th pace in the Test rankings.
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