Joe Root becomes the new no.1 ranked Test batsman; Rohit Sharma overtakes Virat Kohli

Joe Root has scored three centuries in first three Tests of the ongoing series against India.

By Jatin Sharma - 01 Sep, 2021

England captain Joe Root, who is enjoying a golden run with the bat in the year 2021, has usurped the top position in the latest ICC Test batting rankings, released on September 1, 2021, Wednesday.

Joe Root has scored three centuries in the first three Tests of the ongoing five-match series against India in his own backyard, aggregating an astonishing 507 runs at an average of 126.75. This golden run sees him overtake New Zealand captain Kane Williamson to return to the top of the charts after six years. 

Root had started the series ranked fifth in the charts, but his sublime form has seen him take massive strides in his charge towards the top spot.

From the Indian side, opener Rohit Sharma has overtaken captain Virat Kohli to enter the top five of the ICC Test batsmen rankings at no.5 with 773 rating points. Sharma scored 19 and 59 in the two innings of the Headingley Test match. 

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Cheteshwar Pujara's battling 91 in the second innings has also seen him progress three spots to jump up to the 15th spot in the rankings table. 

Apart from the batsmen, England bowlers have also made significant strides in the bowling rankings. James Anderson has gained one spot to move into the top five, while Player of the Match Ollie Robinson, and Craig Overton have also risen up the table. Robinson advanced nine places to move up to No.36, while Overton has re-entered the rankings at the 73rd spot. 

Latest ICC Test batting and bowling rankings:

(ICC inputs)

By Jatin Sharma - 01 Sep, 2021

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