Cheteshwar Pujara earns second position in ICC Test ranking; domination of Indian team continues

Dubai, November 29: India’s Cheteshwar Pujara surged to the number-two ranking while Virat Kohli held on to the fifth spot in the latest ICC rankings for Test batsmen, issued on Tuesday. Also, the Indian cricket team continues to dominate in the ICC Test rankings as it remains on the top position while South Africa stays in the second position.

 

Cheteshwar Pujara has returned to number-two ranking after scoring 143 in his side’s huge victory by an innings and 239 runs in Nagpur. He had first peaked to second following the Ranchi Test against Australia in March, while the last time he was second was following his 133 against Sri Lanka in Colombo in August.

Pujara has been rewarded with 22 points, which have lifted him from fourth to second on a career-high 888 points. The 29-year-old, who plays for Saurashtra in India’s domestic competitions, now leads his fifth-ranked captain Virat Kohli by 11 points. Kohli has vaulted from 817 points to 877 points after scoring his fifth career double-century in 62 Tests.

However, Australian skipper remains in top position. England captain Joe Root is sitting third and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is occupying the fourth spot, while sixth-ranked David Warner of Australia is another 51 points behind Kohli.

India opener Murali Vijay and middle-order batsman Rohit Sharma, who were the other centurions in the just-concluded Tests, have also made impressive gains. Vijay has risen eight places to 28thposition, while Rohit has shot up seven places to 46th spot.

In the bowlers’ rankings, Ravindra Jadeja has reclaimed on the second position following his match figures of five for 84, while Mitchell Starc has returned to the top 10 in 10th position after his match figures of six for 128 helped him to gain three places.

Ravichandran Ashwin, who became the fastest man to 300 wickets in Tests, has consolidated his fourth position by gaining nine points which have put him on 849 points. The India off-spinner is now 42 points behind number-one ranked James Anderson who has dropped five points after claiming two wickets in the Brisbane Test.

Other bowlers to improve their rankings include Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ishant Sharma of India, who have moved up one place each to 28th and 30th respectively, and Pat Cummins of Australia, who has jumped six places to claim 45th position.

India continues to be at the top in the latest ICC Test rankings with 125 points. South Africa is placed second at 111 points while England is third with 105 points. Meanwhile, in the all-rounders’ rankings, Ashwin has returned to third place in the list which is headed by Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh.

MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings (as on 28 November):

Rank Team Points

• India 125
• South Africa 111
• England 105
• New Zealand 97
• Australia 97
• Sri Lanka 94
• Pakistan 88
• West Indies 75
• Bangladesh 72
• Zimbabwe 02

India is a nation full of crazy cricket fans. The game is very popular in India and the continuous success of Indian Cricket Team has helped to retain the increasing popularity.