ICC Test Rankings: Rishabh Pant Breaks in Top 20, Pujara Climbs to Number 3
Jan 8, 2019 at 3:32 PM
Following India’s historic 2-1 win over Australia in Tests, wicketkeeper-batsman, Rishabh Pant gained points in latest ICC Test Rankings for the batsmen. The left-hander, who hit 350 runs in seven innings, at an average of 58.33, broke in top 20 for the first time in his career. Meanwhile, the man of the hour for India, Cheteshwar Pujara rose to the third spot as well. As he hit 521 runs in four Tests, averaging 74.43, the India number has 881 points to his name.
Pant rises, courtesy Sydney hundred
Only after his ninth Test, Pant saw himself on the elite list. The youngster didn’t bat well until the Sydney Test began, where he scored his second hundred in red-ball cricket; scoring an unbeaten 159* in the first innings. Courtesy his knock, Rishabh Pant climbed 21 spots to sit at the 17th position. The ICC Test Rankings, which got updated on January 8th (Tuesday), also saw Virat Kohli maintaining the top spot with 922 rating points. Though he just scored one hundred in Perth, Virat’s position didn’t get hampered.
Also, Australia’s latest recruit, Marcus Harris found himself on the climbing the ladder as well. Though he had a forgettable outing in the Test series, Harris rose to 21 places to be at the 69th position.
Furthermore, there have been some gains after the conclusion of South Africa-Pakistan Tests. As the hosts have already won the Test series, suspended captain Faf du Plessis and opener Aiden Markram earned points. Though Markram enters top ten, climbing seven places up, Faf is sitting at the 16th spot jumping six places. Also, Temba Bavuma, South Africa’s leading run-scorer in the series, rose five positions to 21, his career-best.
Jadeja benefits after the recent show
Ravindra Jadeja, who broke in the Test side in the final two Tests, jumped to the fifth position. In the ICC Test Rankings for bowlers, Duanne Olivier, Faf’s go-to-man in the Pakistan Tests, climbed up four spots to sit at number 32.