Indian cricket stars Jasprit Bumrah, Virat Kohli, and Yashasvi Jaiswal have made significant leaps in the latest ICC Test rankings following India’s dominant 2-0 series win over Bangladesh. Bumrah has ascended to the No. 1 position among bowlers, Kohli has re-entered the top 10 batters, and Jaiswal has achieved his highest career ranking.
After a remarkable performance in the second Test, where he took six wickets across both innings (3/15 and 3/17), Bumrah overtook Ravichandran Ashwin to claim the top spot with 870 points. Bumrah’s consistency with the ball in the Chennai Test helped India wrap up the game in just five sessions, despite interruptions due to rain. His rise in the rankings pushed Ashwin to second place, after previously leading the charts.
Kohli’s Resurgence
Virat Kohli’s return to form was another key highlight for India. After a challenging period that saw him drop out of the top 10 in 2022, Kohli has steadily climbed back, now ranked sixth. His recent performance in the Kanpur Test, where he scored 47 and 29 not out, was a positive sign for the veteran batter. In addition, Kohli achieved the milestone of 27,000 international runs, becoming the fastest player to reach the landmark, surpassing the great Sachin Tendulkar.
Jaiswal’s Rising Star
Yashasvi Jaiswal continued his meteoric rise, moving to third place in the ICC Test rankings for batters, just behind Joe Root and Kane Williamson. The young opener’s twin half-centuries in the Kanpur Test were pivotal to India’s victory. Since making his debut against the West Indies in August 2023, Jaiswal has been a revelation, amassing 1271 runs at an outstanding average of 64.05, including two double centuries.
Jaiswal’s ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when needed has quickly established him as a key player for India in the longer format. His player-of-the-match performance in the Kanpur Test further highlighted his importance to the team.
Ashwin and Jadeja Maintain Key Roles
Despite being displaced by Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin remains one of India’s most valuable players. Ashwin dropped to No. 2 in the bowler rankings but continued to make his mark with both bat and ball. His five-wicket haul in the first Test and an all-round contribution in the second earned him the Player of the Series award. With this, he equaled Muttiah Muralitharan’s record for the most Player of the Series awards in Test cricket.
Ravindra Jadeja, who also played a crucial role in India’s victories, remains steady at sixth in the rankings. While his batting contributions were limited, Jadeja’s bowling was instrumental in Bangladesh’s collapse on Day 5 of the second Test. His consistent performances also saw him join an elite group of Indian players, including Kapil Dev and Ashwin, to achieve the double of 3000 runs and 300 wickets in Test cricket.
Conclusion
India’s strong showing in the ICC rankings underscores the team’s depth and talent. With Bumrah now the top bowler, Kohli regaining form, and Jaiswal emerging as a key player, the Indian team is well-positioned for future success. These rankings reflect not only individual brilliance but also the collective strength of the squad as they continue to dominate on the world stage.
