ICC Test Batting Rankings: Kane Williamson Surpasses Virat Kohli And Steve Smith To Reach At The Top
Dec 31, 2020 at 12:59 PM
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson has ended the year 2020 on high. He has second time reached at the top of the ICC’s Test batting ranking after his major contribution in the team’s win at home this year.
Williamson has gained 13 rating points for his effort of 129 and 21 against Pakistan in the first Test. Before this series, he was the joint holder with Virat Kohli for the second position. But after his classic performance in Mount Maunganui, he is now 11 points ahead of Kohli and 13 ahead of Smith.
Kane Williamson for the second time at the top in ICC Test batting rankings:
Willamson had briefly occupied the top spot towards the end of 2015 but either Smith or Kohli have been number one since then. But this time, he is likely to hold the number one spot for a long considering Smith is not in his best form and Kohli will be playing only the next Test match in February.
Although Team India is playing the Test series against Australia, Virat Kohli has returned to India to be with his wife, who is expecting the birth of their first child.
Apart from Kane Williamson’s rise, Ajinkya Rahane has jumped to five positions to station himself at number six in the ranking, just one below his career-best of fifth attained in October 2019. He has progressed after his match-winning century in the second Test against Australia which guided them to a strong comeback after a crippling defeat.
On the other hand, Cheteshwar Pujara, who has scored just 14 and 3 in the last Test, has fallen two spots to stand at number 10th position.
We have a new No.1, folks!
⬆️ Kane Williamson rises to the top
⬆️ Ajinkya Rahane jumps to No.6Latest update in the @MRFWorldwide ICC Test Rankings 👉 https://t.co/OMjjVwOboH pic.twitter.com/rhmfe8jpUd
— ICC (@ICC) December 31, 2020