Joe Root Reclaims Top Spot in ICC Test Batting Rankings with Landmark Performance
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/31st July 2024
Joe Root has once again ascended to the pinnacle of the ICC Test batting rankings, marking his ninth time at the top spot. This impressive feat comes as Root surpassed Kane Williamson to reclaim his position, thanks to a crucial innings of 87 runs in the first innings of the Birmingham Test against the West Indies. Root’s performance was pivotal, as he was the only player among the top six batters to score over 20 runs in that innings. England’s batting line-up, however, proved resilient as they accumulated runs throughout, with Jamie Smith also making a notable contribution, nearly securing a century and rising 31 places to No. 64 in the rankings for wicketkeeper-batters.
Root’s elevation to the top of the Test batting charts marks a significant milestone in his career. During this Test, he also surpassed Brian Lara’s tally of 11,953 runs to become the seventh highest run-scorer in Test history. With a current total of 12,207 runs, Root leads the pack among active Test cricketers, with Steven Smith (9,685 runs) and Virat Kohli (8,848 runs) trailing behind. Root’s first ascent to the top of the Test batting rankings occurred in August 2015, and his most recent reign at the top was in June 2023, following a stellar performance in the Ashes series opener.
Additionally, England’s Mark Wood made headlines with a Player-of-the-Match performance, taking 7 wickets for 92 runs. This standout performance has propelled him into the top 20 of the ICC Test bowling rankings for the first time in his career, highlighting his impact in the match and solidifying his position among the elite bowlers.
In the men’s T20I rankings, India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal has made a return to the top 4 after his stellar performance in the recent three-match series against Sri Lanka. Jaiswal accumulated 80 runs at an impressive strike rate of 178, contributing significantly to India’s 3-0 series victory. Shubman Gill also made notable progress, climbing 16 places to achieve a career-best 21st position in the T20I rankings. Among the Sri Lankan players, Pathum Nissanka rose 11 places to 15th, while Kusal Perera made a significant leap of 40 places to joint-63rd. Additionally, India’s leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, who has previously held the top spot in the T20I bowling rankings, has re-entered the top 10, underscoring his continued excellence in the format.
These updates in the ICC rankings reflect the dynamic nature of international cricket and highlight the exceptional performances of players across different formats. Joe Root’s return to the top of the Test batting rankings and the rise of players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill in the T20I rankings underscore the ever-evolving landscape of cricket and the impact of individual brilliance on the global stage.
