Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli. Image Credit: Getty Images.

Although India could not win the opening match of the Test series, their captain Virat Kohli has raised his points in the ICC Test batsman rankings. He has added two more points to decrease the gap between him and the current no.1 holder Steve Smith, who failed to do much with the bat across innings against India in Adelaide.

As per the latest rankings released on Sunday, Virat Kohli reduced the difference from 25 points to 13 following his first innings score of 74, which helped him gaining two points. Australia’s batting mainstay Steve Smith struggled against India in the first innings as he scored only one run in 29 balls faced.

In the second innings, he didn’t get enough opportunity to score runs as the visitors gave a below-par target. As a result, he has lost 10 rating points.

Virat Kohli Close To Dethrone Steve Smith After ICC Release New Test Rankings 1
Image Credit: Twitter.

Talking about Indian bowlers, India’s R Ashwin, with four wickets in Australia’s first innings, has overtaken Jasprit Bumrah as India’s top-ranked bowler, currently in ninth place.

As far as Australian bowlers are concerned, Pat Cummins took seven wickets in the match to gain six points and move from 904 to 910, which is a comfortable lead over Stuart Broad in second place.

Australian pacer, Josh Hazelwood’s astonishing figures of 5/8 in India’s second innings helped him gain four spots and move back into the top five with 805 points, the first time since March 2018.

Virat Kohli set to leave Team India:

Virat Kohli Close To Dethrone Steve Smith After ICC Release New Test Rankings 2
Image Credit: Getty Images.

Meanwhile, Australia and India will move on to play the second Test match at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) scheduled to begin on December 26.

The embarrassing defeat in the first Test would have surely demoralised India. Moreover, with Virat Kohli leaving his team, there would be immense pressure on them to be up against a strong Australian team. Mohammed Shami has also sustained a fracture in his bowling arm increasing the trouble of India.