In a significant development ahead of the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Axar Patel and Jos Buttler have both made notable strides in the latest ICC T20I rankings. This reshuffling of the rankings paints an exciting picture as the world gears up for the high-octane cricketing extravaganza.
**Axar Patel’s Meteoric Rise**
Axar Patel, India’s dependable left-arm orthodox bowler, has ascended the ladder, securing the third spot in the ICC Men’s T20I bowling rankings. Axar now boasts an impressive 660 ratings points, which has propelled him past seasoned bowlers such as Sri Lanka’s Maheesh Theekshana and his own compatriot, Ravi Bishnoi. This leap is a testament to his consistent performances and key contributions in India’s recent T20 fixtures.
The reshuffled rankings see Theekshana also making gains, now positioned at fourth, with a close 659 rating points, tying with Bishnoi. The tight contest among these bowlers underscores the competitive spirit of the game, and the forthcoming T20 World Cup promises to be a battlefield where these skills will be on full display.
**Status at the Top: Adil Rashid and Wanindu Hasaranga**
At the pinnacle of the rankings, England’s Adil Rashid remains the No. 1 ranked T20I bowler, commanding 722 ratings points. Rashid’s artful leg-spin has been instrumental in England’s T20I campaigns, and his hold on the top spot is indicative of his prowess.
However, snapping at Rashid’s heels is Sri Lanka’s dynamic all-rounder, Wanindu Hasaranga, who has accumulated 687 points. With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, Hasaranga has a golden opportunity to overtake Rashid if he can deliver top-notch performances in the tournament.
**Various Changes in The Bowling Rankings**
Elsewhere in the bowling department, we witness further shuffles. Australia’s Josh Hazlewood has moved up one place to secure the sixth position, reflecting his impactful bowling in recent series. Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan has also climbed up, securing two spots to sit at seventh, signaling his continuous threat as one of the format’s premier bowlers.
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Additionally, Reece Topley of England has made his mark by displacing South African bowler Tabraiz Shamsi to claim the ninth spot. Shamsi now finds himself in the 10th position, yet remains a vital cog in South Africa’s bowling lineup.
**Suryakumar Yadav: Unstoppable on the Batting Front**
Switching focus to the batting rankings, India’s middle-order talisman, Suryakumar Yadav, continues to dominate. Fondly known as Surya, he stands unchallenged as the top T20I batter worldwide, with an impressive 861 rating points. His innovative and aggressive strokes have earned him a significant lead over England’s Phil Salt, who follows in second place with 788 rating points.
**Jos Buttler’s Soaring Performance**
England’s white-ball captain, Jos Buttler, has also seen a rise in his ranking. Currently the seventh-ranked batter, Buttler’s match-winning knock of 84 off 51 balls during the second T20I against Pakistan at Edgbaston, Birmingham, has elevated him in the standings. His form is a promising sign for England as they head into the World Cup with high aspirations.
**Brandon King’s Significant Leap**
The most eye-catching advancement in the batting rankings is that of West Indies’ Brandon King. Following his consistent performances against South Africa, where he scored 79, 36, and 44 in the recently concluded three-match series at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica, King has made a significant leap of five places to comfortably settle at the number eight spot. His climb in the rankings highlights his growing influence and reliability in the T20I format.
As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, these shifts in the rankings add an extra layer of intrigue and excitement. The new placements reflect the players’ recent performances and hint at the thrilling competition to come. The battle for supremacy in the bowling and batting domains is set to be fierce, with each player keen to outperform the other on the grand stage of the World Cup.
