ICC Test Rankings: Rohit Sharma reclaims top 5 spot in ICC rankings ahead of Bangladesh series

PTC News Desk: India's cricket captain, Rohit Sharma, has made a triumphant return to the top 5 of the ICC men's batting rankings for the first time since September 2021. Sharma was named the highest-ranked Indian batter in the ICC's latest update, released on Wednesday, September 11. He was closely followed by his teammates Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who also made significant gains, moving to the 6th and 7th positions, respectively.

This surge in rankings comes as the trio prepares for the highly anticipated two-Test series against Bangladesh, set to begin on September 19. All three batters are expected to build on their recent form and improve their ratings in the upcoming matches.

Sharma and Jaiswal Shine in England Series

Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal were in scintillating form during India's previous Test series against England earlier this year, a series that played a crucial role in their rise in the rankings. Jaiswal was especially impressive, amassing 712 runs, including two centuries and three fifties, in a record-breaking performance. His consistent top-order contributions were instrumental in India's success.

Sharma, meanwhile, demonstrated his leadership and batting prowess, hitting two centuries and accumulating 400 runs during the series. Both Sharma and Jaiswal shouldered much of the scoring responsibility in the absence of star batter Virat Kohli, who did not participate in the series.

ICC MEN'S TEST BATTING RANKINGS (AS OF SEPT 11, 2024)

1. Joe Root - 899 points

2. Kane Williamson - 859 points

3. Daryl Mitchell - 768 points

4. Steven Smith - 757 points

5. Rohit Sharma - 751 points

6. Yashasvi Jaiswal - 740 points

7. Virat Kohli - 737 points

8. Usman Khawaja - 728 points

9. Mohammad Rizwan - 720 points

10. Marnus Labuschagne - 720 points

Global Rankings See Major Shifts

The latest ICC rankings also witnessed significant movement among other international players. Sri Lankan batters made notable strides following their impressive performances in the recently concluded three-Test series against England. Sri Lanka achieved a historic victory in the final Test at The Oval in London on September 9, ending a decade-long wait for a Test win on English soil.

Dhananjaya de Silva, Sri Lanka's captain, top-scored in the first innings of the third Test with 69 runs, propelling him to a career-best ranking. He moved up three places to claim the 13th spot in the global rankings, making him the highest-ranked Sri Lankan batter.

Middle-order batter Kamindu Mendis and opener Pathum Nissanka also achieved personal bests. Mendis climbed six spots to 19th after a strong half-century against England, while Nissanka's 64 and 127* propelled him 42 spots to reach the 39th position.

Joe Root’s Setback and Kane Williamson’s Ascent

England's former captain Joe Root continues to hold the top spot in the ICC Test batting rankings. However, Root’s failure in both innings of the third Test against Sri Lanka saw his rating points drop from 922 to 899, opening the door for New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, who is now just 40 points behind and eyeing the top spot with 859 points.

Pakistani Players Lag Behind

Pakistan’s cricket team saw no significant changes in the batting rankings, with captain Babar Azam remaining outside the top 10. Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan maintained his status as Pakistan's highest-ranked batter, holding the 9th spot.

Looking Ahead to the Bangladesh Series

As India’s top-ranked batters prepare to take on Bangladesh, the upcoming series is poised to be a crucial opportunity for Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Yashasvi Jaiswal to further solidify their positions in the global rankings. With Sharma back in the top 5 and Jaiswal breaking into the top 10 for the first time, Indian cricket fans will be eagerly watching to see how their stars perform on the Test stage.

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