The cricketing world is witnessing the rapid ascent of a new batting sensation, Yashasvi Jaiswal, in the ICC Test rankings for batters. Jaiswal’s stellar performance in the series against England has seen him compile an extraordinary 655 runs from just eight innings, including two double centuries, averaging an incredible 93.57. His recent knocks of 73 and 37 in the fourth Test in Ranchi have catapulted him into the 12th spot in the latest ICC rankings release.
Jaiswal’s rise has somewhat overshadowed his teammate and captain Rohit Sharma, who has slipped to 13th despite contributing a significant half-century in India’s successful chase of 192 in the same Test. With 727 rating points, Jaiswal now stands above Sharma, who holds 720 points.
Meanwhile, England’s stalwart Joe Root has made a significant leap, claiming the third position after a slump in form that saw him face considerable scrutiny. Root’s masterful unbeaten 122, his 32nd Test century, guided England to a solid total of 353 in their first innings of the previous match. With 799 rating points, he is currently positioned just behind batting juggernauts Kane Williamson and Steve Smith.
Virat Kohli, the Indian cricketing icon, currently ranked ninth with 744 rating points, finds his place in the top 10 under threat. Kohli has been absent from the ongoing four-match series due to personal reasons, which has had a notable impact on his standing. England’s Harry Brook is close behind Kohli, ranked 10th with 743 points, and he, like Kohli, is also missing the series for personal reasons.
The impending Test series between Australia and New Zealand, starting on February 29, is set to add further turmoil to the Test rankings as players vie for the top spots. Australian batter Travis Head is positioned at 11th with 741 points, presenting him an excellent opportunity to break into the top 10 with both Brook and Kohli currently out of action.
At the apex of the rankings, Williamson and Smith are expected to engage in a tightly contested battle for the number one position. The forthcoming series will not just be a contest of teams but also a fascinating subplot involving these talented individuals and their quest for dominance in the batter rankings.
In other cricket news, Bangladesh continues to strengthen its coaching setup ahead of the series against Sri Lanka with new appointments in the batting and bowling departments. The cricketing landscape also features the interesting shuffle of events where a Test match involving Afghanistan and Ireland has been moved to accommodate a school sports championship in the UAE.
This ICC rankings update provides fans with intriguing narratives. While Jaiswal’s swift rise heralds the arrival of a new cricketing superstar, veterans like Root signal they are far from fading away. As the global cricket community eagerly watches these developments, the anticipation for the upcoming fixtures and their potential implications on the rankings adds more excitement to an already thrilling sport.
Related Stories:
– Bangladesh appoint batting and bowling coach ahead of Sri Lanka series
– ‘Next MS Dhoni…’: Former India cricketer hails Rohit Sharma after series win over England
– AFG vs IRE: Test match shifted to host school sports championship in UAE
