Virat Kohli slips to no.3 spot in ICC Test batting rankings behind Kane Williamson and Steve Smith

Steve Smith scored 131 and 81 in the SCG Test against India.

Indian captain Virat Kohli has slid down to the no.3 spot in the latest ICC Test rankings for batsmen. Kane Williamson continued to reign at no.1 spot, while Steve Smith moved to the second spot after a brilliant showing in Sydney Test against India.

Kohli, who returned to India on paternity leave and was blessed with a baby girl on Monday, January 11, played only the first Test of the four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series and scored 74 and 4.

Smith, meanwhile, after struggling in the first two Tests, come into his form with scores of 131 and 81 and went above Kohli in the rankings. Smith (900 points) is placed second behind New Zealand captain Kane Williamson (919). Kohli has 870 points in the latest chart, issued on Tuesday.

Cheteshwar Pujara’s brilliant outing in SCG (50 and 77) earned him two places in rankings and he now sits at 8^th spot. Rishabh Pant's scores of 36 and 97 have helped him gain 19 places to reach the 26th position, while Rahane lost one place.

AUS v IND 2020-21: Rajeev Shukla criticized for "India could have won" comment by Twitterverse

Hanuma Vihari (52nd) and Ravichandran Ashwin (89th) too have gained after their fighting knocks, as has Shubman Gill (69th).

In the bowlers' list, off-spinner Ashwin dropped two placed to ninth and is followed by compatriot Jasprit Bumrah, who lost one spot. Australia’s Pat Cummins continues as the no.1 ranked Test bowler, followed by England pacer Stuart Broad and New Zealand's Neil Wagner.

(PTI inputs)