Rishabh Pant, India's dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, has experienced a remarkable surge in the ICC Test batting rankings following his stellar performances in the recently concluded three-match Test series against New Zealand. Pant played a pivotal role in India’s success throughout the series, emerging as the top scorer with a total of 261 runs across three matches. His outstanding contributions included an impressive average of 43.50, coupled with a strike rate of 89.38. Pant's performance was highlighted by three half-centuries, including a brilliant knock of 99 in the first Test at Bengaluru, and two more valuable contributions in the final Test in Mumbai, scoring 60 and 64 in the two innings. This exceptional form has earned Pant a remarkable rise of five places in the rankings, taking him to the sixth spot with a rating of 750. His aggressive approach, consistency, and ability to anchor India's innings in crucial moments have clearly been acknowledged by the ICC rankings system.
Pant's rise in the rankings is not just a personal achievement but also a testament to his evolution as one of the most exciting players in the longest format of the game. His success in the series has further solidified his reputation as a key figure in Indian cricket, especially in the Test format, where he continues to be a reliable middle-order batter.
Alongside Pant, New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell has also seen a rapid rise in the rankings, climbing eight places to secure the seventh position. Mitchell, a dependable middle-order batter for New Zealand, scored a total of 157 runs from five innings, showcasing his grit and resilience. His most significant contribution came in the first innings of the Mumbai Test, where he played a vital knock of 82 runs, which helped his team stay competitive. Mitchell’s consistent performances throughout the series have been rewarded with a well-deserved climb in the ICC rankings, highlighting his growing stature in international cricket.
On the other hand, India’s opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal, despite his strong start to the series, saw a slight dip in his ranking. Jaiswal, who was previously in the top three, dropped one place to the fourth spot after a subdued performance in the final Test. In the two innings in Mumbai, he could only manage scores of 30 and 5, which were below his usual standards. Jaiswal’s drop in the rankings indicates how quickly performance can impact the standings, and he will be eager to bounce back in future series to maintain his place among the top batsmen in the world.
Perhaps the most significant ranking shift involves India’s former captain, Virat Kohli. After a string of underwhelming performances in the series, Kohli has dropped out of the top 20, falling eight places to the 22nd spot. The batting maestro could not find his rhythm in the New Zealand series, contributing just 23 runs in the first two innings of the final Test. His decline in the rankings serves as a reminder of the fierce competition in international cricket and the challenges even the best players face when form dips. Kohli, who has long been a fixture in the top echelons of world cricket, will be looking to rediscover his best form in upcoming matches and ensure that this drop is a temporary setback.
As far as the bowlers are concerned, India’s left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja has had an equally impressive rise in the ICC Test bowling rankings. Jadeja’s remarkable 10-wicket haul in the third Test played a crucial role in India's victory and has seen him climb two places in the rankings to secure the sixth spot. With a rating of 802, Jadeja continues to be one of the most consistent and effective spinners in Test cricket. His remarkable match figures of 10/120 not only earned him the Player of the Match award but also cemented his place among the top spinners in the world. Jadeja’s ten-wicket haul was his third such achievement in Test cricket, showcasing his ability to turn matches in India’s favor when it matters most.
However, Jadeja’s spin partner, Ravichandran Ashwin, has faced a decline in his rankings. Despite his pedigree as one of the world’s best off-spinners, Ashwin dropped one place to the fifth spot after taking just nine wickets across three Tests at an average of 41.22. While Ashwin's performance was solid, it was not as impactful as usual, and his inability to dominate the series as he has done in the past has led to this minor dip in his rankings. Ashwin remains one of the most important players in the Indian team, but he will be looking to bounce back in future series and regain his place at the top of the bowling charts.
Another notable performer in the series was New Zealand's Ajaz Patel, who made a stunning ascent in the rankings after his match-winning performance in the third Test. Patel, who took 11 wickets for 163 runs in the match, including a remarkable 7-wicket haul in the first innings, climbed 12 places to the 22nd spot in the ICC Test bowling rankings. His performance helped New Zealand push India to the edge, and Patel’s rise in the rankings highlights the importance of his contribution to his team’s efforts.
In the ODI rankings, Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi made a significant jump, climbing four places to the fourth spot, sharing the position with Australia’s Adam Zampa. Afridi’s rise in the rankings was aided by his excellent performance in the first ODI against Australia, where he took 2 wickets for 43 runs in 10 overs. Afridi’s consistency and wicket-taking ability in limited-overs cricket continue to make him a crucial asset for Pakistan as they look to make strides in the 50-over format.
The rankings from this series highlight the ongoing evolution of key players in the cricketing world. Rishabh Pant’s rapid rise reflects his growing stature as one of the most exciting batters in world cricket, while Jadeja’s dominance with the ball reinforces his place among the game’s best. On the other hand, Kohli’s drop and Ashwin’s slip show how quickly rankings can fluctuate based on form, and how competitive the sport has become. The New Zealand series has served as a great platform for several players to make their mark, and it will be interesting to see how these rankings evolve over the coming months.
Â
